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Herald Reporter

A Chitungwiza Municipality plumber has been arrested on allegations of duping a home seeker of US$3 000 after selling a non-existent stand in the town’s Unit K section.

Believe Marau, who was represented by Mr Stephen Chikotora, pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding Mr Richard Makiseni, when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Brighton Danana.

Allegations are that in July 2020, Mr Makiseni was referred to Marau by Mr Shadreck Savieri who said there was a stand valued at US$3 000 for sale.

Mr Makiseni then paid a deposit of US$2 000 after being shown a site plan and he later paid the remaining US$1 000.

All the payments were witnessed by Mr Savieri and Mr Pafungei Mhepo.

When Mr Makiseni made a follow up on the stand, which he had been promised would be ready for occupation within four days, he realised that he had been duped.

He approached Chitungwiza Municipality with papers availed by Marau and was advised that the documents were not authentic.

Mr Makiseni went back to Marau who became hostile.

He then made a report to the police, resulting in Marau’s arrest.

The matter was postponed to December 3.

In a similar case, MDC Alliance Chitungwiza ward 12 councillor Darlington Musonza and the municipality’s housing director Hazel Sithole were recently arrested on allegations of duping another home seeker of US$3 000.

Sometime in April 2019, Mr Andrew Mhlanga visited Chitungwiza Municipality offices seeking to acquire a residential stand and was advised to see Musonza for assistance.

Musonza allegedly told Mr Mhlanga that he had several residential stands at his disposal which he received from council as a severance package. He then allegedly offered a residential stand in Unit B Seke measuring 300 square metres valued at US$3 500.

Mr Mhlanga then paid Musonza US$3 000 cash at Chitungwiza Municipality offices promising to pay the balance, but he did not get the stand and his money was not recovered.