The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
MUTARE businessman Gondai Musabaeka was last week arrested and dragged to court on allegation of duping his former girlfriend US$4 700 in a botched stand deal.
Musabaeka (54), of Lot 2 Kellys Farm, Penhalonga was arrested last Thursday by detectives from Rusape after a Canada-based nurse Ms Rebecca Chinamasa, of Plot 1 Lionshead Farm, Rusape lodged fraud charges against him.
Musabaeka, who was represented by Mr Walter Mangwende, of Chiwanza and Partners Legal Practitioners, was granted $300 bail by magistrate Mr Vusimuzu Gapara.
He was also ordered to report once a fortnight at ZRP Penhalonga and not to interfere with State witnesses.
Mr Marlon Makamba prosecuted.
Mr Makamba had opposed the release of Musabaeka arguing that he was not a suitable candidate for bail as he was facing a serious offence.
Mr Makamba told the court that Ms Chinamasa, sometime in 2012, met Musabaeka in Mutare, who promised to assist her to acquire a residential stand.
When Ms Chinamasa returned to Canada, Musabaeka allegedly informed her that there was a residential stand on offer in Nyanga. Ms Chinamasa allegedly wired US$4 700, which the accused converted to personal use.
“Musabaeka and Chinamasa are not related, but were once lovers. In June 2012, Chinamasa came to Zimbabwe and met Musabaeka in Mutare, where she confided in him that she was in need of a residential stand. Musabaeka offered to assist her, and he drove her around Mutare showing her some stands which he alleged were vacant.
“Musabaeka also drove her to Nyanga where they approached Nyanga Rural District Council, but were told that there were no vacant residential stands at that moment.
“They were advised that some residential stands would be available in a few months’ time. Chinamasa went back to Canada and maintained communication with Musabaeka. In August 2012, Musabaeka told Chinamasa there were some residential stands available in Nyanga. He told her that US$100 was needed as registration fee.
“On 31 August 2012, the complainant wired CAD 101,65 to Musabaeka as the registration fee through MoneyGram. From September 2012 to November 2012 Chinamasa wired varying amounts towards the purchase of the stand.
“When Chinamasa returned to Zimbabwe, she made numerous efforts to locate Musabaeka so that he could show her the residential stand she had paid for and surrender the documentation to her, but she failed to find him. This month (August 2019) Chinamasa returned to Zimbabwe and then lodged a police report after realising that Musabaeka had duped her.
The transaction history from MoneyGram could be produced in court as exhibit. The value is US$4 700 when converted to United States dollars and nothing was recovered,” said Mr Makamba.
Musabaeka’s trial was expected to kick off yesterday (Thursday) as Chinamasa was expected to fly back to Canada today (Friday).
