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Lawyer in court for US$180,000 fraud
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A prominent Harare lawyer, Emmanuel Makanyera Mukwewa, has been charged with fraud following a botched land deal that allegedly cost an unsuspecting buyer US$180,000.
Mukwewa, a senior partner at Mukwewa Law Chambers, appeared before Harare Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa this week, facing allegations of fabricating documents related to a land transaction in Greendale, Harare. The case centers on the fraudulent sale of a piece of land, Lot 1 of 636, Greendale Township, which was misrepresented as belonging to Oracle Estate (Pvt) Limited.
The Alleged Scheme
According to court documents, in January this year, Mukwewa and his co-accused, Ernest Chagadama of Oracle Estate, are alleged to have tricked the complainant, Pacifio Trading Limited, and its director, Rodger Barney Guy, into believing they were purchasing land from a legitimate private estate. The total price for the land was set at US$180,000.
Guy reportedly approached Chagadama, who referred him to Mukwewa, the estate's legal practitioner. After inspecting the land, Guy instructed Mukwewa to draw up a sale agreement, and a payment of US$180,000 was made. Mukwewa held half of the payment in his trust fund, with the understanding that it would only be released after the transaction's completion.
Discovery of the Fraud
However, the deal took a turn when Mukwewa became evasive after receiving the payment, prompting Guy to investigate further. He soon discovered that the land in question did not belong to Oracle Estate as claimed, but was, in fact, government-owned. As a result, Guy lost the full US$180,000, with only US$20,000 being recovered.
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Mukwewa was granted bail set at US$200 and ordered to report weekly to the CID Commercial Crimes Division. He was also instructed not to interfere with state witnesses and to surrender his passport. He will appear in court again on January 21 for routine remand while investigations continue.
The fraud case has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with land transactions and the importance of verifying ownership before engaging in high-value deals. Mukwewa faces a serious legal battle as the investigation into the fraudulent activities proceeds.
Mukwewa, a senior partner at Mukwewa Law Chambers, appeared before Harare Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa this week, facing allegations of fabricating documents related to a land transaction in Greendale, Harare. The case centers on the fraudulent sale of a piece of land, Lot 1 of 636, Greendale Township, which was misrepresented as belonging to Oracle Estate (Pvt) Limited.
The Alleged Scheme
According to court documents, in January this year, Mukwewa and his co-accused, Ernest Chagadama of Oracle Estate, are alleged to have tricked the complainant, Pacifio Trading Limited, and its director, Rodger Barney Guy, into believing they were purchasing land from a legitimate private estate. The total price for the land was set at US$180,000.
Discovery of the Fraud
However, the deal took a turn when Mukwewa became evasive after receiving the payment, prompting Guy to investigate further. He soon discovered that the land in question did not belong to Oracle Estate as claimed, but was, in fact, government-owned. As a result, Guy lost the full US$180,000, with only US$20,000 being recovered.
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Mukwewa was granted bail set at US$200 and ordered to report weekly to the CID Commercial Crimes Division. He was also instructed not to interfere with state witnesses and to surrender his passport. He will appear in court again on January 21 for routine remand while investigations continue.
The fraud case has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with land transactions and the importance of verifying ownership before engaging in high-value deals. Mukwewa faces a serious legal battle as the investigation into the fraudulent activities proceeds.
Source - newsday
