A HARARE couple has been sentenced to 60 months in jail for defrauding the owner of Pandhari Hotel, Sunday Chifamba, of US$90 000.
Usedia Zhuwaneti and Edzayi Arufaneti, however, had six months of their sentences suspended on condition of good behaviour while 42 months were set aside on condition they pay US$45 000 restitution before July 31, 2024.
Magistrate Ethen Chichera suspended another 12 months on condition they perform 420 hours of community service at Wildcombe Primary School.
The court heard that sometime in 2014, the couple approached Chifamba claiming to be shareholders at Anglovaal Investments Private Limited.
They claimed that they were selling stand number 761 Glen Lorne Township of 41 of Glen Lorne held under Deed of Transfer 9391/98 through the company.
In March 2014, Chifamba acted on the misrepresentation and paid US$90 000 for the stand.
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In 2016, Eelco Alexis Walraven, the owner of the property who had sold it to Anglovaal Investments in 2011 but later reclaimed it after the institution had failed to pay the full purchase price, approached Chifamba, claiming ownership of the property.
In June 2019, Walraven obtained a High Court order to evict Chifamba from the property.
As a result of the couple's actions, Chifamba suffered actual prejudice of US$90 000.