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AFM pastor in US$158K fraud storm
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A reverend from the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church and his wife appeared in court yesterday on allegations of defrauding a private school operator of US$158,000 in a failed rent-to-buy property deal.
The couple, Titus Murefu (59) and his wife Winnet, are accused of misrepresenting themselves as owners of a property located at Lot 12 Glen Forest in Harare and collecting rental payments from the complainant, who runs Destiny Achievers School.
The pair appeared before Harare regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa and were remanded out of custody to July 22.
According to the State, the complainant, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Destiny Achievers School situated at Plot 15 Glen Forest, was first introduced to the property in question in 2020 by one of her employees. The employee had reportedly informed her that Lot 12 Glen Forest could provide ample space for the school's expansion.
Following this recommendation, the complainant approached the Murefus, who allegedly misrepresented themselves as the legitimate owners of the land. On the basis of this misrepresentation, she agreed to rent the property for US$1,500 per month and began operating the school there from January to December 2021.
In January 2022, the couple allegedly told the complainant they were now willing to sell the land. A verbal rent-to-buy agreement was entered into, under which the complainant continued to pay US$2,000 per month in rent, with the understanding that the payments were part of a plan to eventually own the property.
By January 2023, the monthly rental fee was increased to US$3,950, which the complainant continued to pay until September 2023. However, when she requested that the rent-to-buy arrangement be formalised in writing, the Murefus reportedly became evasive and avoided signing any agreement.
Suspicions were raised, and the complainant launched an investigation that revealed the accused were not the registered owners of the property. A police report was subsequently filed, leading to the couple's arrest and court appearance.
The case has been adjourned as investigations continue, and the accused are expected to return to court on July 22.
The couple, Titus Murefu (59) and his wife Winnet, are accused of misrepresenting themselves as owners of a property located at Lot 12 Glen Forest in Harare and collecting rental payments from the complainant, who runs Destiny Achievers School.
The pair appeared before Harare regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa and were remanded out of custody to July 22.
According to the State, the complainant, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Destiny Achievers School situated at Plot 15 Glen Forest, was first introduced to the property in question in 2020 by one of her employees. The employee had reportedly informed her that Lot 12 Glen Forest could provide ample space for the school's expansion.
Following this recommendation, the complainant approached the Murefus, who allegedly misrepresented themselves as the legitimate owners of the land. On the basis of this misrepresentation, she agreed to rent the property for US$1,500 per month and began operating the school there from January to December 2021.
In January 2022, the couple allegedly told the complainant they were now willing to sell the land. A verbal rent-to-buy agreement was entered into, under which the complainant continued to pay US$2,000 per month in rent, with the understanding that the payments were part of a plan to eventually own the property.
By January 2023, the monthly rental fee was increased to US$3,950, which the complainant continued to pay until September 2023. However, when she requested that the rent-to-buy arrangement be formalised in writing, the Murefus reportedly became evasive and avoided signing any agreement.
Suspicions were raised, and the complainant launched an investigation that revealed the accused were not the registered owners of the property. A police report was subsequently filed, leading to the couple's arrest and court appearance.
The case has been adjourned as investigations continue, and the accused are expected to return to court on July 22.
Source - Newsday
