Controversial cleric Passion Java appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in a show of support for his sister Mavis Madzivanzira, who was recently convicted on multiple fraud charges.
Madzivanzira and her accomplice Pauline Gutsa were found guilty following a full trial in which the court heard they defrauded several victims in a fraudulent residential stands scheme.
The pair was convicted on nine counts of fraud involving about US$120,000.
Although Java had previously distanced himself from the case, he attended the pre-sentencing hearing alongside other family members as the legal proceedings continue.
Lawyer Cleared
The two women had initially been charged together with Harare lawyer Proud Mutuso, but the court cleared him after finding no evidence linking him to the alleged fraud.
Presiding magistrate Mr Chakanyuka ruled that the State failed to prove Mutuso’s involvement, noting that he was in South Sudan at the time the offences were committed.
Allegations of Fake Stands
Prosecutor Oscar Madhume told the court that Madzivanzira and Gutsa allegedly sold nine non-existent residential stands through their company Segimel Investments, which claimed to deal in property sales.
The victims — Farai Chikiwa, Naledi Maunganidze, and Fortune Rukara — reportedly paid large sums of money after being shown documents and site plans that were said to represent land in areas such as Milton Park, Vainona, Logan Park, and Gunhill.
However, investigations later revealed that the stands did not exist in the City of Harare’s official database.
How the Scheme Worked
According to the State, Chikiwa — a director of two construction companies — initially purchased three stands in Milton Park priced at US$15,000 each.
She later paid deposits for six more stands on her own behalf and for another buyer. In total, she deposited US$97,450 into a lawyer’s trust account after being promised official offer letters.
The documents never materialised.
Suspicious about the delay, Chikiwa later verified the stands with the City of Harare, only to discover they were not registered.
She then reported the matter to the police.
Another Victim
In a separate incident, Fortune Rukara was allegedly convinced to buy a stand in Greendale that was initially priced at US$35,000 but negotiated down to US$20,000 due to the absence of title deeds.
He paid the amount into a lawyer’s trust account after signing an agreement of sale.
However, when Rukara later visited the Greendale District Office, he was informed that the land in question was not designated for residential use.
By that time, the money had already been withdrawn and the suspects had reportedly disappeared.
Sentencing Expected Soon
Madzivanzira and Gutsa are expected to return to court for sentencing proceedings, where the magistrate will determine their punishment following the fraud conviction.
