Harare, Zimbabwe | A car dealer is facing fraud charges after allegedly deceiving a City of Harare employee who sought to purchase land for farming.
Terai Mudzimukunze did not enter a plea when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Isheanesu Matova.
The complainant, Lovemore Mangena, works as the Chief Building Inspector for the City of Harare.
According to the court, in December 2023, Mangena was introduced to Mudzimukunze by his friend, Steven Soso.
Mangena expressed interest in purchasing land for farming, and Soso informed him that Mudzimukunze could help him acquire land in Mashonaland East.
Takudzwa Chigutirwa, who is believed to be on the run, was also involved in the alleged scam.
The three individuals took Mangena and Soso to Goromonzi, where they showed them a 70-80-hectare plot at Bluewaters Farm.
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When Mangena asked about the paperwork for the land, the pair told him that he needed to pay a fee to officials at the Ministry of Lands in Goromonzi to expedite the process of obtaining an offer letter.
Mangena informed them he did not have the necessary funds, and they agreed to take his VW Bora, valued at $4,500, as a form of payment.
The two claimed they would sell the car and use the proceeds to pay the Ministry officials.
In January of the following year, Mudzimukunze informed Mangena that the car had not yet been sold and asked for $1,500 to begin the process.
Mangena managed to raise $1,000, which he handed over to Mudzimukunze.
Eventually, Mangena realized he had been scammed and reported the incident to the police.
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