More Fraud Charges Brought Up Against Mharadze
"Initially, he had 19 counts of fraud but since his court appearance we have received more complaints against him" - Inspector Ncube
More Fraud Charges Brought Up Against Mharadze
Bulawayo – Police have said a Bulawayo businessman Elliot Mharadze (42) who had been on the run for the past five years after allegedly defrauding individuals of over US$50 000 in a botched housing stands deal, is facing more counts as more victims have come forward.
Initially, Mharadze, a director of Exceed Construction, was arrested on 19 counts of fraud, which have since increased to 24
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed that they are receiving more reports of fraud against Mharadze.
He also urged those who had been defrauded to approach the police. Insp Ncube said:
I can confirm that since the accused was arrested and appeared in court there have been more charges brought up against him.
Initially, he had 19 counts of fraud but since his court appearance we have received more complaints against him.
As of Friday, the number of complainants was 24.
We are saying to those who are victims but have not yet reported, they must report to us.
Mharadze was denied bail and remanded in custody to today.
Prosecuting, Ms Siphiwe Mhlanga said on September 4, 2018, one of the complainants, Mr Butholezwe Dube went to Mharadze’s company offices located at the intersection of Herbert Chitepo Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue in the city centre intending to buy a residential property.
More Fraud Charges Brought Up Against Mharadze
Mharadze then offered to build the complainant a two-roomed house in Pumula South for US$17 000.
The accused and the complainant then struck a deal and Mr Dube then paid a deposit of US$13 000.
The court heard that Mr Dube later visited Bulawayo City Council (BCC) offices intending to inquire about the stand and he discovered that it had been sold and registered under someone’s name.
On December 24, 2018, Mharadze duped Ms Joyce Moyo using the same modus operandi and sold a non-existent stand for R215 000.
On 22 March 22, 2018, Mharadze defrauded Ms Claudious Manamela of US$5 000 for a house purported to be in Nkulumane suburb.
The court heard that on July 18, 2018, Mr Bongani Nyathi was defrauded of US$19 000 for a house that was purported to be in Pelandaba.
On March 22, 2019, Ms Sizi Ndlovu was duped of R270 000 by Mharadze following a botched house deal. Mharadze had claimed that he was selling in Pelandaba suburb.
The court heard that on August 24, 2019, Mharadze defrauded Ms Tackler Gumbo of R190 000 after claiming that he was selling a house in Pelandaba. Ms Mhlanga:
On November 21, 2019, Mharadze duped Mr Tafara Dube R205 000 after purportedly selling a house in Pelandaba suburb.
Mharadze went on to dupe another complainant, Ms Tafara Dube of $3 800 after claiming there was a house for sale in Cowdray Park suburb.
