A RECENTLY convicted fraudster, Absolom Gambura (34), last week appeared at Harare magistrates court facing fresh charges of allegedly duping an unsuspecting home seeker by selling her a house belonging to British tycoon Nick Van Hoogstraten.
CHARLES LAITON, SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Gambura, who was recently slapped with a five-year prison term for theft of trust property after swindling Elias Mutema of $52 210 is alleged to have duped a Harare woman Kundai Deka of $40 000.
Of the five-year prison term imposed on Gumbura, Harare magistrate Musaiona Shotgame suspended one year on condition of good behaviour and the remaining four years were suspended on condition Gambura reimbursed Mutema.
On the current charge, Gambura, who is the managing director of Hopewins Real Estate, allegedly advertised in the Press a residential property located in Mazowe.
The complainant Deka, who is a pensioner, approached Gambura in January last year to inquire about the property.
The State alleges Gambura told the 68-year-old woman that the property belonged to Van Hoogstraten.
The court heard that Deka later viewed the property and got interested in buying it, before an agreement of sale was drafted.
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Gambura allegedly asked Deka to pay $28 550 and that was done before Hoogstraten left the country for the United Kingdom.
Deka later paid the balance in instalments, until a total of $40 000 was made.
The offence came to light when Gambura allegedly failed to effect transfer of the property into Deka’s name and became evasive, prompting Deka to report the matter to the police leading to his arrest.
In the Mutema case, Gambura used the same modus operandi, by advertising a Harare property in newspaper.
Mutema viewed the advertised property in October last year after Gambura told him he was acting on behalf of Willoughby’s Investments, who were the owners of the property.
The court heard he pegged the property at $80 000, an amount which was to be paid within six months and after receiving the money, Gambura failed to effect transfer of the property leading to his arrest and conviction.
