Harare Man Loses US$15K In Botched Stand Deal

A 36-year-old man from Gunhill in Borrowdale suburb, Harare, was charged with fraud on Tuesday this week after he allegedly conned a customer out of USD$15,000 in a residential stand deal IN Warren Park D.

The man was arraigned before Harare Magistrate Apolonia Marutya.

According to State papers, Caleb Chihlangu contacted Tafadzwa Kambunja, the director for Martin Sandy Resources, following advertisement for residential stands on sale in a local newspaper.

Kambunja allegedly indicated to Chihlangu that he had two stands in Warren Park D, and the latter chose one stand measuring 350 square metres that had a price value of US$7 800.

Chihlangu reportedly made an initial payment of US$2 500 and signed an agreement of sale which was availed to him by one Michael Kawanzarwa, who is still at large.

He was issued with an offer letter bearing a March 2020 stamp.

The State further indicated that Chihlangu made further payments amounting to US$8 000 before he started building a cottage.

He was, however, confronted by one Veronica Chituwo, who claimed ownership of the stand saying she acquired it through the Warren Park D Collective Housing Co-operative.

Chihlangu is said to have sought Kambunja’s intervention, but he was allegedly given false promises.

Kambunja was remanded out of custody and the matter is set to return in court on April 29 this year.