A suspected conman who masqueraded as a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation, selling non-existent farms and stands, yesterday appeared in court.
Chris Kadungure (47) of Unit G in Chitungwiza appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.
He is facing fraud charges. He was remanded to tomorrow for bail ruling.
Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on May 4 last year Kadungure advised Peter Ncube, who was looking for a farm, that he was able to fast-track the processing of his application form.
He later gave Ncube an application form purportedly from the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement before requesting $10 000 for him to process an offer letter.
It is alleged that Ncube managed to raise $9 900 and Kadungure assured him that after paying the balance of $100 he would show him his piece of land and the offer letter.
After receiving the payment, Kadungure became evasive and upon realising that he had been duped Ncube reported the matter to the police.
In November last year Kadungure allegedly met Clemence Kagodi at a city nightclub.
He introduced Kagodi to Dumisani Sithole whom he said worked at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Worls and National Housing as a director in the housing department.
Kagodi was informed that there were three stands in Mt Pleasant Heights and one in Borrowdale each measuring 2 000 square metres which were going for $12 000 apiece.
Kagodi was taken to Mt Pleasant and Borrowdale West where he was shown some undeveloped stands.
He was made to pay $2 000 as commitment fee and various amounts in instalments adding up to a total of $32 000.
Kagodi was later given an offer letter which was deemed as fake on examination at the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ministry offices.
In August last year, Kadungure was introduced to Liana Munhenzva as a member of the CIO.
He was told that Munhenzva and others were arrested for illegally occupying land in Mabvuku.
Kadungure promised to process an offer letter for the land and was given $4 500.
The complainants lost $46 400 and nothing was recovered.
Meanwhile, a Harare man who tried to dupe people at Harare Magistrates’ Court while masquerading as a public prosecutor and to some, as a police officer, recently escaped jail by a whisker after his prison term was set aside on condition he performs 350 hours of community service, reports Tendai Rupapa.
Blessing Chiunda (37) was spotted by prosecutor Mr Michael Reza as he led some people saying he would help them. Mr Reza became suspicious and ordered him to identify himself to which he said he was a police officer, but Mr Reza did not buy that and informed a police officer who was nearby.
When Detective Constable Farai Zindoga asked him to identify himself, Chiunda lied that he was a public prosecutor at the court.
Çhiunda appeared before Mr Tendai Mahwe last week charged with impersonation.
He had an additional charge of possessing articles for criminal use after he was found with a fake certificate of competency.
On the count of impersonation, Mr Mahwe sentenced him to 12 months in prison and suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining 10 months were set aside on condition he performs 350 hours of community service at Kuwadzana Police Station.
For possessing a fake certificate of competency, Chiunda was ordered to pay $100 fine or spend 30 days in jail.
Ms Francesca Mukumbiri pro- secuted.