FRAUD IN THE GRAVE: Harare Duo Convicted for Selling Deceased Person's Stand

RUSAPE — Two women from Harare have been sentenced to community service following a brazen attempt to sell a residential stand in Rusape by impersonating a deceased property owner. Maria Munyonga (70) and Sekai Chirima (51), residents of Ushewekunze, pleaded guilty to fraud charges before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe after their "get-rich-quick" scheme unraveled.

The court heard that the complainant, Modester Munganasa, discovered an advertisement for Stand Number 3240 in Magamba Extension on a WhatsApp group. When she visited the site, neighbors alerted her to a relative of the actual owner, who confirmed the property was not on the market. Undeterred, Munyonga contacted Munganasa, claiming she was the owner and offering the stand for US$13,500.

To facilitate the deal, the duo utilized a sophisticated array of forged documents:

• A Forged ID: Munyonga presented a national identity card featuring her photograph but the personal details of Pheona Mukwene, the actual owner who died in 2012.

• Supporting Paperwork: The pair produced a fraudulent Rusape Town Council water bill and an approved building plan to gain the buyer's trust.

Growing suspicious, Munganasa alerted the police, leading to a sting operation and the subsequent arrest of the two women.

Magistrate Mahwe sentenced each woman to 10 months in prison. However, the court showed some leniency:

• Six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior.

• The remaining four months were commuted to 140 hours of community service at Southlea Park Police Station.

This case underscores a growing trend of property-related fraud in Zimbabwe, where scammers target the estates of the deceased. Authorities have reiterated the need for prospective buyers to conduct thorough due diligence and verify ownership records directly with local councils and the Deeds Office before parting with their hard-earned foreign currency.

Rusape property fraud conviction