A real estate agent, Godwin Khulame (29), stood before Harare Magistrate Ethel Chichera, accused of committing fraud amounting to US$16,670. Khulame has been remanded in custody until December 14 for a bail ruling.
The complainants in this case include Clementine Chengetal Nehumba (34), Maybe Masaiti (60), Fatima Ururu (39), and Clive Masawi (33).According to prosecutor Tinotenda Masimba, in August 2022, Khulame devised a fraudulent scheme, misrepresenting ownership of multiple residential stands.
Khulame allegedly placed misleading advertisements on Facebook and WhatsApp groups, offering serviced residential stands in Nyabira measuring 300 square meters. He lured people who were desperate to own houses and land of their own.
The complainants, drawn in by the advertisements, contacted Khulame, who directed them to his office for further details.
Khulame, it is claimed, took the potential buyers to Nyabira, showcasing serviced residential stands and falsely
asserting their availability for sale at US$10,200 each, with a US$1,000 deposit required.
Eager to secure the stands, the complainants paid a total of US$16,670 to Khulame, who issued them receipts.
Allegedly becoming evasive, Khulame closed his work offices. The complainants, upon investigation, discovered that the land being sold by Khulame actually belonged to the Devine Aid Trust Company (DATCO).
Visiting DATCO, they confirmed the company’s ownership of the stands and denied any association with Khulame or his transactions.
Subsequently, the complainants reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of Khulame. The fraudster is remanded into custody and awaits his bail hearing on the 14th of December.
Source iHarare
