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Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
The chairman of 100 Percent Empowerment Housing Cooperative last week appeared in court on allegations of defrauding an unsuspecting land seeker of US$13 000 in a botched residential stand deal.

Spencer Mackenzie Mabeka was facing fraud charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye.

He was granted $500 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at his given address until the matter is finalised.

Sometime in 2015, Sunday Chifamba was looking for a stand to buy and develop for Plaxedes Chikerema.

It is alleged that Chifamba met Innocent Manyange, who advised him that Mabeka had a residential stand in Mabelreign, Harare, for sale.

The court heard that the duo proceeded to meet Mabeka at Westgate Shopping Centre.

Mabeka allegedly confirmed that he indeed was selling residential stands in Mabelreign for US$13 000.

It is alleged that Chifamba called Misheck Nyamufukudza to accompany Mabeka and view the stands and possibly enter into an agreement of sale.

The court heard that Chifamba gave Nyamufukudza US$8 000 to pay Mabeka as a deposit for the chosen stand.

It is the State’s case that Chifamba managed to purchase stand number 2153 Mabelreign Township measuring 500 square metres from Mabeka.

The court heard that an agreement of sale was prepared between Mabeka and Chikerema in respect of the stand and the latter was duly represented by Nyamufukudza in the transaction.

It is alleged that by December 2015, Chifamba had paid the outstanding balance of US$5 000 to Mabeka.

The State further alleges that in 2017 when Chifamba wanted to commence development of the stand, he was surprised to discover that Mabeka had already sold the same stand to Memory Chigwaza.

It is alleged that Chifamba contacted Mabeka to inquire about the stand and he promised to give him an alternative one.

Nothing has materialised since then.