A SUSPECTED fraudster, who allegedly duped a prospective land seeker of US$66 000 for 200 hectares has been arraigned before the courts.
Peter Rupiya (65) last week appeared before Harare regional magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with fraud and was remanded on US$300 bail.
He is expected to return to court on July 19 this year.
Rupiya was being represented by Panaishe Mujawo of Mudimu Law Chambers.
The complainant is Kudzai Macquros Chimuka.
Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi alleged that in June last year, Chimuka was looking for a piece of land for farming purposes and approached his friend Shepherd Gurure, who referred him to Rupiya.
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Gurure knew that Rupiya was selling a piece of land along the Harare-Mutare Highway near Marondera.
Chimuka contacted Rupiya and the two met at the farm.
The prosecution stated that after viewing the farm, measuring 200 hectares, Chimuka expressed interest in the piece of land and the two agreed to a price of US$120 000.
Chimuka reportedly paid a deposit of US$66 000 for the property.
After payment of the deposit, Rupiya is said to have promised Chimuka to facilitate change of ownership.
Chonzi told the court that Rupiya became evasive and gave false promises to Chimuka, who later visited the farm and saw another person developing it.
She said Chimuka contacted Rupiya to understand what was happening, but he could not give a satisfactory answer.
Chimuka later realised that he had been duped and made a police report, leading to Rupiya’s arrest.