Serial fraudster Prosper Biziweck, who illegally took possession of former minister Dzingai Mutumbuka’s house, was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday.
Following a full trial, Harare magistrate Ethel Chichera found Biziweck guilty, while his co-accused, Tatenda Shaft Wakatama, was acquitted.
Prosecutors Tafara Chirambira and Kudzanai Mudzamiri demonstrated that on June 20, 2021, Biziweck conspired with Jonah Ngome to fraudulently seize Mutumbuka’s property.
The duo visited the Deeds Registry Office, where, with the assistance of officials, they retrieved the original title deed for House Number 90 Harare Drive, Chisipite, also known as Stand Number 184 Rolf Valley Township. They then forged a fake title deed in Ngome’s name.
Biziweck advertised the house for sale on social media, attracting the interest of Harrison Marange. Marange, along with his wife, Demetria Zirenga, arranged to meet Biziweck and Ngome.
A legal practitioner, Kenias Mutyasira, was engaged to draft a sale agreement, listing Marange and his wife as buyers and Ngome as the seller.
The agreed purchase price was US$140,000, with an initial deposit of US$90,000 and the remaining US$50,000 payable upon transfer of ownership. On September 29, 2021, the couple paid US$45,000 as part of the deposit, with another US$45,000 due on October 12. However, police intervened before the second payment could be made.
Biziweck and Ngome shared the proceeds among themselves.
Registrar of Deeds Absolom Magwere later confirmed that the title deed in Ngome’s name was counterfeit, whereas the one in Mutumbuka’s name was genuine.
Biziweck received a three-year prison sentence, with one year suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar crime within the next five years.
The remaining two years are to be served in full.
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