Crimes and Courts
BULAWAYO – Two city residents have been sentenced to prison for fraud after being convicted of selling the same residential stand to two different buyers in a sophisticated scam that duped a victim out of US$13,500.
Henessy Dube (46) and Flora Moyo (45) were handed custodial sentences this week by Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira following their conviction on fraud charges.
Deceptive Scheme Unravels
The court heard that the pair sold a Highmount residential stand that had already been legally purchased in 2022 for US$17,000 by another buyer.
Using falsified documents, the accused convinced a second buyer that the property was still available, even providing a fraudulent agreement of sale and receipts. The scam collapsed when the new buyer attempted to take possession of the stand.
“The complainant only discovered the fraud when he tried to develop the stand and found it had already been sold,” said prosecutor Nokuthaba Ngwenya during sentencing.
Sentences Handed Down
Dube received a seven-year prison term, with three years suspended (one for good behavior and two conditional on restitution). He will serve an effective four years.
Moyo was sentenced to seven years with four years suspended for good behavior, leaving her with an effective three-year jail term.
“This was a calculated deception that caused significant financial harm,” Magistrate Dzira said in his ruling.
“The courts must send a strong message against property fraud.”
Warning to Property Buyers
The case has prompted warnings from real estate professionals about verifying property ownership.
“Buyers must conduct due diligence through the Deeds Office before purchasing any property,” advised Bulawayo estate agent Thabani Ndlovu.
“These scams are becoming more sophisticated.”
The convicted pair have begun serving their sentences at Khami Prison while authorities continue investigating whether they may have been involved in other fraudulent property deals.
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