FORMER Chitungwiza mayor Philemon Tawengwa Chipiyo appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court alongside Vincent Didymus Tom Baris, in a matter the duo is accused of swindling a prospective stand owner of more than $7 000 in a botched stand deal.
CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Chipiyo (76) is alleged to have connived with Baris (53) on June 24 last year and sold Real Rachel Mhike’s stand number 20438, located in Unit G Extension in Chitungwiza, to Jeremiah Chiraya for $7 300.
The duo allegedly misrepresented to Chiraya that the stand belonged to the former city father.
Both men appeared before provincial magistrate Elijah Makomo charged with fraud and were remanded out of custody to June 11 on $150 bail each.
According to prosecutor Venencia Mutake, Baris allegedly connived with Chipiyo and hatched a plan to sell an undeveloped stand to Chiraya.
The stand, according to the court papers, belongs to Mhike who died on September 26 2001. Baris is alleged to have approached Chiraya who wanted to buy the stand and misrepresented to him that it belonged to his colleague, Chipiyo.
Thereafter, the court heard, Baris allegedly accompanied Chiraya for the viewing of the stand and the latter was satisfied and got interested in buying it.
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The State alleges Chiraya was then ordered to pay $7 300 for the stand which money he paid to Baris at Chitungwiza Town Centre on the same day.
Pursuant to their plans, only July 25, Baris accompanied Chiraya to Chipiyo’s house where Chipiyo confirmed to have received the money for the stand.
The State further alleges that Chiraya later approached Chipiyo and sought permission to develop the stand before change of ownership and the same was granted.
Chiraya then constructed his house and started staying at the stand, but the fraudulent deal was exposed sometime in January this year when Chiraya was approached by Mhike’s executor, Trevor Godzongere who informed him that the stand was in fact an estate property.
The matter was then reported to police leading to the two men’s arrest.
They were both represented by Emmanuel Samundombe.
