Harare man sells same stand twice

Michael Mashiri

A Kambuzuma man has appeared in court after selling the same stand twice, thus prejudicing the first buyer of US$13 000.

Tinaye Muskwe, 32, of Kambuzuma appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates' Court accused of fraud

The complainant is Fungai Chirinda.

The State alleges that in January 2023, Chirinda saw an advertisement informing of the sale of residential stands measuring 2000 square meters in Belvedere, Harare.

Chirinda went there and left his contacts with the caretaker of Belvedere Housing Project as an interested customer.

After three weeks, Chirinda received a call from Muskwe who stated that he was selling his vacant stand in Belvedere, measuring 2000 square meters.

During that same month, Muskwe went to Chirinda 's workplace and showed Chirinda his ownership documents for the stand which was going for the price of US$35 000.

The two later met at Belvedere Housing Project and Chirinda confirmed his interest.

The purchase price of US$35 000 was agreed upon with payment split into eight monthly instalments.

On February 15, 2023, Chirinda met Muskwe in Eastlea and they signed an agreement of sale and paid an initial deposit of US$7 000 to Muskwe who acknowledged receipt of the money.

On February 17, 2023 and April 3, 2023, Chirinda met Muskwe at Machipisa Shopping Centre and paid US$2 000 and US$4 000 respectively towards the purchase price of the stand.

On March 24, 2023, Muskwe unlawfully sold the same residential stand to Bertha Madya and entered into another agreement of sale.

Offence came to light when Chirinda was told by Belvedere Housing Project that Muskwe had resold the same stand leading to a police report.

Chirinda lost US$13 000 in the process.

Mangosi granted Muskwe ZWL$200 000 bail.