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Peter Matika, [email protected]

BULAWAYO businessman, Elliot Mharadze (42), who was recently arrested over a scam that saw him allegedly defrauding several people of foreign currency in fake housing stands, is facing 13 more counts.

He is already facing 33 counts of fraud, and the latest charges bring to 46 the total number of counts. In the latest charges, Mharadze, a director of Exceed Construction, allegedly swindled 13 complainants of a total of US$89 160 and R673 800.

Mharadze’s trial is set for Friday. He had been on the run for almost five years.

The new charges reportedly stem from additional evidence that was unearthed during the ongoing investigations into his alleged fraudulent activities.

In the additional charges, Mharadze used the same modus operandi to dupe unsuspecting home seekers of foreign currency under the pretext that he either had a house or could facilitate a housing stand for development.

Mharadze is being represented by Mr Goodluck Katanaire of Mutuso, Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Attorneys.

His bail application was dismissed by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza after the State argued that it had a strong prima facie case against him.

Prosecuting, Ms Siphiwe Mhlanga said between 2018 and 2019, Mharadze duped several home seekers of various amounts of money in fake housing deals.

Meanwhile, another notorious Bulawayo bogus estate agent Gerald Sibanda appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Maxwell Ncube facing six counts of fraud. 

He was remanded out of custody to 25 April on US$200 bail.

Sibanda, who has been on the run for years, was arrested last week on Tuesday at James Court in Bulawayo’s city centre. This was after some of his victims, real estate agents and police teamed up and set a trap.

Allegations against Sibanda are that he would advertise apartments and houses that he did not own on social media platforms.

Some of the houses were under renovation. Sibanda is alleged to have duped several individuals by taking deposits and in some cases, full amounts in rentals.

Sibanda was arrested after placing an advert offering a house to let. Some of his victims joined hands with police and pretended to be potential clients interested in occupying the house.

He was cornered when he visited the advertised house to meet a client.

Mr Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers is representing the accused.