The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
THE long arm of law has finally caught up a notorious Rusape con-artist, Agripah Luwanja, who was last week sentenced to two years in jail for selling one residential stand to two people.
Luwanja (43) was not represented and pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Rusape magistrate Mr Gift Manyika, who found him guilty of defrauding a stand seeker out of US$4 000. Of the two-year sentence, six months were set aside on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor Mr Marlon Makamba told the court that in 2016, Luwanja sold his residential stand in Crocodile to Sasha Mapila for US$4 000 knowing very well that he had sold the same stand in 2012 for US$3 900 to Saimon Sipiwe.
“In April 2012, Luwanja mandated Eagle Estate Agents to sell his stand in Crocodile for US$3 900 and Saimon Sipiwe developed interest. Sipiwe paid the full amount and an agreement was signed by both parties.
“Sometime in 2016, Luwanja fully aware that he had sold his stand decided to defraud prospective home seekers. He advised a Mr Mawire of Rusape Town Council to advertise his stand in Crocodile. Mapila got in touch with Mr Mawire who gave him Luwanja’s contact details and they proceeded to view the stand and Mapila was satisfied.
“On 13 September 2016, Mapila paid US$4 000 in full to Luwanja and they both signed an agreement of sale. Mapila then started developing the stand. In October 2018 Mapila went to RTC to pay rates of the stand. Before he made payment he was advised by a housing officer that the same stand had another agreement of sale between Luwanja and Sipiwe.
On January 5, 2020, a report was made to police leading to Luwanja’s arrest. The value of prejudice is US$4 000 and nothing was recovered.
