(Last Updated on December 28, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – A senior citizen was taken to court facing allegations of selling his late father’s house without the knowledge of other beneficiaries of the estate.
Lovemore George Zhuwao Gambazi, 67, appeared at the Harare magistrates’ court charged with fraud.
Zhuwao denied the charges when he appeared before magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta.
Accusations facing the senior citizen are that sometime in August this year, he approached the Master of High court, Civil and Customary Law department, and lied that he was the only surviving member from his late father’s family.
It is said that he was appointed the executor of the estate.
Allegations are that he changed ownership of a house in Mufakose before approaching an estate agent.
He is said to have placed an advert saying the house was on sale.
Zhuwao also lied that he had been given the green light to sale the house by the Master of High Court.
Reports are that a woman from Dzivaresekwa got interested and bought the house.
In September, the new owner of the house wrote a letter to tenants who were residing at the Mufakose house informing them that they were supposed to pay rentals to her.
Lorraine Gambazi, who is believed to be another beneficiary and was staying at the house, then made some investigations following receipt of the letter.
She approached the Mufakose District office and was told that Zhuwao had sold the house.
Further investigations revealed that Zhuwao had supplied the supplied false information to the Master of High Court.
Zhuwao was arrested and taken to court where he denied the fraud charges he is facing.
Magistrate Sabarauta ordered Zhuwao to return to court on January 6 and to deposit US$100 as bond if he wanted to be tried whilst out of custody.
Chrispen Chikafu is representing the State.