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Fungai Jachi Court Correspondent
Zimbabwe Housing Development Trust chairperson, Romeo Zvoushe, allegedly forged agreement of sale deeds, sold land that he did not legally own and swindled home-seekers of more than $47 000 in a botched housing stands deal, the court heard.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo charged with fraud.

Zvoushe was remanded to October 23 on $100 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, he was asked not to interfere with witnesses and to reside at the address he gave to the court.

Zvoushe was also ordered to report once every week at CID serious frauds.

Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that between 2011 and October this year, Zvoushe would put up advertisements in local newspapers saying there were residential stands in various areas of Harare and Ruwa available for sale.

It is alleged that Zvoushe and his employees would show home seekers the land in the different areas claiming that it belonged to the cooperative. But he would also offer the same land to other people assuring them that it was theirs.

It is the State’s case that when some complainants went put up structures in Mabvuku they were surprised to see other people already staying there.

Zvoushe would allegedly forge agreement of sale deeds and give them to the unsuspecting home seekers.

Investigations made by the police revealed that Zvoushe did not have any offer letter or deed to the land he sold.

The total amount prejudiced is $ 47 861 and nothing was recovered.

He was subsequently arrested.