Harare, Zimbabwe – Mavis Madzivanzira, sister to the prominent Prophet Java, faces a significant prison sentence after being convicted on nine counts of fraud amounting to approximately US$120,000. The conviction follows a comprehensive trial that saw Madzivanzira, who has been held in remand prison due to previous missed court appearances, found guilty alongside her accomplice, Pauline Gutsa.
The case has drawn considerable public attention, particularly given Prophet Java’s prior declaration distancing himself from his sister’s legal entanglements. However, some observers have speculated whether Madzivanzira’s predicament aligns with Java’s pronouncement of a
‘year of arrests,’ which he termed ‘Gore Rekungangurwa.’
Harare regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka delivered the verdict, convicting Madzivanzira and Gutsa after a full trial. Notably, their co-accused, Harare lawyer Proud Mutuso, was acquitted of all charges. Magistrate Chakanyuka determined that the State failed to present sufficient evidence linking Mutuso to the crimes, citing his presence in South Sudan at the time the offenses were committed.
Madzivanzira and Gutsa are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for their pre-sentence hearing and subsequent sentencing.
Prosecutor Oscar Madhume successfully demonstrated that the duo defrauded Farai Chikiwa, Naledi Maunganidze, and Fortune Rukara by selling them nine non-existent residential stands, collectively valued at US$119,000. The court heard that Madzivanzira and Gutsa are co-directors of Segimel Investments, a company purportedly involved in the buying and selling of land.
The victims reportedly discovered the deception after verifications with the City of Harare revealed that the purported stands were not registered in the local authority’s database.
In September 2019, Chikiwa was introduced to Gutsa and Madzivanzira, who allegedly misrepresented that they were selling stands in prime locations including Milton Park, Vainona, Logan Park, and Gunhill. They presented what appeared to be ‘Harare City Council site plans’ for the proposed subdivision of these stands. Acting on these misrepresentations, Chikiwa, a director of two construction companies, proceeded to purchase three stands in Milton Park, each priced at US$15,000.
Furthermore, the State’s case detailed that Chikiwa acquired an additional six stands, both for herself and for Maunganidze, in Vainona and Logan Park, valued at US$64,000. Chikiwa made a total deposit of US$97,450 for the nine stands into the pair’s attorney’s trust account. Despite promises from Gutsa to deliver offer letters, none materialized.
Upon contacting the City of Harare to confirm the status of the stands, Chikiwa was informed of their non-existence, prompting her to report the matter to the police. Chikiwa ultimately lost US$97,450 in the fraudulent scheme.
In a separate count, on June 19, 2019, Fortune Rukara, who was seeking a residential stand, was referred to Gutsa and Madzivanzira. The duo confirmed they had stands available for sale, and Rukara eventually settled on a Greendale stand initially priced at US$35,000. He successfully negotiated the price down to US$20,000, acknowledging the absence of title deeds.
Gutsa and Madzivanzira then engaged a lawyer to draft an agreement of sale, and Rukara deposited US$20,000 into the lawyer’s trust account. The agreement stipulated that funds would be released to Gutsa and Madzivanzira only after Rukara received the deed of cession and offer letter. However, upon visiting the Greendale District Office, Rukara was informed that the property was not designated as a residential stand.
Rukara’s attempts to recover his money proved futile, as the court heard that the accused had already withdrawn the funds from the trust account and subsequently absconded.
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