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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
POLICE have launched a manhunt for three prominent Bulawayo businessmen, a disgraced lawyer and two women who allegedly fleeced property seekers of hundreds of thousands of dollars in unrelated incidents.

Former Cheda and Partners lawyer Mlamuli Ncube, Munyaradzi Mazenge of Net Seven Real Estates, Godfrey Nyahonzo of Limning Car Sales and Abraham Kesari Ndlovu from Northend suburb are on the run after allegedly swindling clients.

The four are alleged to have received money from clients for houses, residential stands and cars, before disappearing.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) serious frauds section is investigating the cases.

Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Precious Simango, yesterday said the four have been evading justice and called on members of the public to assist police in locating them.

“We’re appealing to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward. The suspects are wanted in connection with various cases of fraud involving illegal sales of houses and other properties,” said Insp Simango.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe suspended Ncube, 34, from practising law in the country after he was found guilty of violating legal ethical codes of conduct.

Police investigations revealed that last year in October, Ncube facilitated the sale of a house in Luveve suburb but did not surrender the title deeds to the new owner.

The house was sold for more than $26,000.

“I purchased a house but up to now he hasn’t given me its title deeds. He has gone into hiding. When I visit his office they tell me stories and his cellphone is no longer reachable,” the victim told the police.

A police source told The Chronicle: “He (Ncube) has used the same modus operandi on a number of clients. That’s what has led to him making headlines in newspapers.”

Mazenge, on the other hand, is said to have fleeced an 87-old-year Bulawayo resident of more than $80,000 after he was tasked to sell residential stands on his behalf.

He is said to have sold some of the stands but never deposited the money into the pensioner’s bank account.

Police have established that between November 2013 and October 2014, Mazenge agreed to sell 120 residential stands in Rangemore for the complainant.

“He allegedly sold $48,250 worth of stands but never deposited the cash into a CABS bank account as agreed. The victim said he lost a total of $86,505 in the process,” said Insp Simango.

Mazenge is alleged to have duped four other residents on whose behalf he sold stands.

“He allegedly fleeced another home seeker of $10,500 after promising to sell her a residential stand in Waterford suburb.

“The homeseeker had paid him in cash but he became dodgy in delivering the piece of land,” she said.

Nyahonzo, a car dealer, is on the run after he failed to deliver a vehicle he sold for $6,500.

Ndlovu is wanted for selling houses that didn’t belong to him.

“He sold about four houses in the western suburbs. He was allegedly duping people saying the houses were his while they were not,” said the police spokesperson.

Police are also looking for Elizabeth Khaka and Fobina Tapiwa Mabikwa who sold a residential stand which is not theirs.

Play the video below

“The accused advertised a stand in the Sunday Mail costing it at $12,000. The complainant became interested and paid $12,000 only to discover after they disappeared that the stand wasn’t theirs,” said Insp Simango.

Unfortunately for the pair, the victim shot a video of the transaction, which can be viewed on The Chronicle website, www.chronicle.co.zw.

“Anyone with information which might assist in the arrest of the suspects may call the Officer in Charge CID serious frauds Bulawayo on 09-78615, 09-78446 or on mobile number 0772982787 or visit their nearest police station.”

Meanwhile, the police have urged companies to be wary of people buying goods using RTGs transactions especially after 4PM when banks have closed.

Insp Simango said the fraudsters make orders and promise to pay through the banks.

“After requesting for bank accounts for the targeted company these fraudsters then generate a fake RTGS purporting to be paying for the goods. They normally collect their consignments at around 4PM to 4:30PM when the banks are closed so that the company won’t have time to verify the transaction with the bank,” said Ins Simango.

She urged companies not to release their products before verifying the authenticity of a bank transfer.