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Prophet Java's sister convicted in US$120,000 fraud case
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Mavis Madzivanzira, sister to socialite and self-styled cleric Passion Java, is facing the prospect of a custodial sentence after being convicted on nine counts of fraud involving nearly US$120,000.
Madzivanzira, who has been in remand prison during the final stages of her trial after missing several court appearances, was convicted alongside her accomplice Pauline Gutsa by Harare regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka.
The pair had been jointly charged with Harare lawyer Proud Mutuso, who was acquitted after the court found no evidence linking him to the offences. The magistrate noted that Mutuso was in South Sudan at the time the crimes were committed.
Madzivanzira and Gutsa are expected back in court for sentencing following a pre-sentence hearing.
Prosecutor Oscar Madhume told the court that the duo defrauded multiple victims by selling nine non-existent residential stands through their company, Segimel Investments.
The victims — including Farai Chikiwa, Naledi Maunganidze and Fortune Rukara — were misled into believing they were purchasing land in affluent Harare suburbs such as Milton Park, Vainona, Logan Park and Gunhill.
The court heard that in September 2019, Chikiwa was introduced to the accused, who presented what appeared to be legitimate subdivision plans purportedly from the City of Harare. Convinced by the representations, she paid deposits totalling US$97,450 for nine stands.
However, upon verification with the local authority, it was discovered that the stands did not exist in municipal records, prompting a police report.
In a separate count, Rukara was duped into paying US$20,000 for a stand in Greendale, which he later discovered was not designated for residential use. By the time he sought recourse, the funds had already been withdrawn from a lawyer's trust account and the accused had disappeared.
The case has drawn public attention partly due to Madzivanzira's association with Passion Java, who has publicly distanced himself from the matter. Some observers have also linked the developments to his earlier remarks declaring the year as one of arrests, popularly referred to as "Gore Rekungangurwa."
The convictions underscore ongoing concerns over fraudulent land transactions and the need for enhanced due diligence in property dealings.
Madzivanzira, who has been in remand prison during the final stages of her trial after missing several court appearances, was convicted alongside her accomplice Pauline Gutsa by Harare regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka.
The pair had been jointly charged with Harare lawyer Proud Mutuso, who was acquitted after the court found no evidence linking him to the offences. The magistrate noted that Mutuso was in South Sudan at the time the crimes were committed.
Madzivanzira and Gutsa are expected back in court for sentencing following a pre-sentence hearing.
Prosecutor Oscar Madhume told the court that the duo defrauded multiple victims by selling nine non-existent residential stands through their company, Segimel Investments.
The victims — including Farai Chikiwa, Naledi Maunganidze and Fortune Rukara — were misled into believing they were purchasing land in affluent Harare suburbs such as Milton Park, Vainona, Logan Park and Gunhill.
The court heard that in September 2019, Chikiwa was introduced to the accused, who presented what appeared to be legitimate subdivision plans purportedly from the City of Harare. Convinced by the representations, she paid deposits totalling US$97,450 for nine stands.
However, upon verification with the local authority, it was discovered that the stands did not exist in municipal records, prompting a police report.
In a separate count, Rukara was duped into paying US$20,000 for a stand in Greendale, which he later discovered was not designated for residential use. By the time he sought recourse, the funds had already been withdrawn from a lawyer's trust account and the accused had disappeared.
The case has drawn public attention partly due to Madzivanzira's association with Passion Java, who has publicly distanced himself from the matter. Some observers have also linked the developments to his earlier remarks declaring the year as one of arrests, popularly referred to as "Gore Rekungangurwa."
The convictions underscore ongoing concerns over fraudulent land transactions and the need for enhanced due diligence in property dealings.
Source - HMetro
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