Zvikomborero Parafini
A HARARE businessman was duped by an impersonator who claimed he was employed by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, and could assist him acquire a farm.
The suspect, John Chakahwanda was not asked to plead when he appeared in court before magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday.
The complainant is Munyaradzi Addmore Chifodya, of Greystone Park.
The allegations are that in May this year, the parties met through one Victor Mukuchamano and Chakahwanda was introduced as an employee of the Ministry of Lands.
Chifodya indicated that he wanted a piece of land, preferably a farm, to use his knowledge in agriculture.
Chakahwanda allegedly went on to state that he was well connected with Lands Officers in Mashonaland West and would utilise those connections to acquire a farm, preferably in Mapinga, or alternatively Zvimba Area for Chifodya.
He claimed he would obtain an offer letter for the farm on Chifodya’s behalf.
Chifodya was then ordered by Victor Mukuchamano to give Chakahwanda US$2805 for him to start the process.
He paid the money and, after a week, he was advised that the land officers in Chinhoyi wanted money as motivation to speed up the process.
Chifodya complied and gave them an additional US$3 500.
He was ordered to pay another US$1100.
He became suspicious when Chakahwanda became evasive and the deal never materialised and this prompted him to file a police report.