Serial fraudster remanded in custody

Zim Now Writer

A Chitungwiza man, who is facing seven counts of fraud, has been remanded in custody and returns to court on November 11 for bail application.

Gaylord Numeri (29) of Unit A, Seke, Chitungwiza appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges.

The total value of the property Numeri defrauded is US$7 500-00 and nothing has been recovered.

The court heard that, Numeri was working in common purpose with his co-accused, who is still at large and came up with a plan to defraud unsuspecting home seekers by offering for sale non-existent housing stands in Eyestone Park, Waterfalls in Harare.

Sometime in June 2022, Fadzai Belinda Tsvuura (29), of Egypt in Highfield, Harare got information that accused persons were selling residential stands.

Edmore Munemo, one of the co-accused who is still at large, reportedly received the payments and the receipts were made in the name of Fields of Memories Relief Development Trust.

Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) revealed that the land in question belonged to the Harare City Council and that Fields of Memories Relief Development Trust is not registered and there were no documents proving ownership of the stands.

On the second count, Brenda Mavunga (35), of Mufakose, Harare arranged to meet with the accused after hearing that they were selling residential stands.

The parties agreed that Mavunga would pay a deposit of US$300-00 followed by US$150-00 monthly instalments and the complainant would occupy the stand after paying US$800-00.

Complainant was defrauded a total of US$900-00 as a result of accused person’s misrepresentation and nothing was recovered.

After realising that the deal was a dud, Mavhunga made a report to Zacc, leading to the arrest of the accused person.

In count three the complainant was Angeline Juru (49) of Lusaka, in Highfield, Harare. In June 2022, Juru went to Eyestone Park in the company of her friend, Dianah Foya, after hearing that Numeri was selling residential stands for US$4 500-00. Juru paid a total of $870-00 which included 10 live chickens valued at US$70-00 the accused received as part of the payment for the residential stand.

Sometime in November 2022, upon checking on the residential stand, Juru discovered that the stand had already been occupied by someone who claimed to have acquired it from the Harare City Council.

The complainant was prejudiced of US$870-00 and nothing was recovered.

In another count, the defendant defrauded Norah Mashozhera (45), of Glen View 1, Harare of US$690.00

On another count, Numeri and his co-accused duped Foya (48) of Lusaka, Highfield who paid them US$1 730-00 and nothing was recovered.

The court also heard that Esther January (46), of Egypt, in Highfield, Harare fell victim to the accused, paying them US$600-00.

The accused also duped Kanyere Mwanyara (45), of Lusaka, Highfiled, who lost US$1 730-00 after being referred to the accused by Foya.