By Sijabuliso Buhlungu
A Bulawayo City Council accounts clerk has appeared in court facing charges of defrauding five home seekers of more than $30 000 through selling them non-existent stands.
Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court that Sijabuliso Buhlungu of Ntabazinduna Flats in Bulawayo would use fake title deeds to sell stands and issue fake receipts.
“Accused duped Benjamin Mugadza of $4 000 after giving him an application form stamped and signed by the Director of Housing and Community Services purporting the form was for a stand in Mahatshula. Mugadza went to enquire at City Council but was told no such stand existed. Accused allegedly placed an advert in a local newspaper for a stand in Killarney that lured Prosper Ndlovu of Plumtree. Accused promised complainant that the stand would be transferred to his name after a deposit. Ndlovu paid $6 500 and that was the last time he saw accused. He went to enquire at city council and was told the stand belonged to Sithandazile Ngwenya,” said Mr Dlodlo.
He said Nomusa Sithole lost $3 500 after she paid for a stand on behalf of her brother.
Accused gave her a fake receipt. In July this year, accused placed another advert of stands on offer in Hillside and Montrose on the internet.
One Pamela Ndlovu in the United Kingdom fell for the trap and lost $6 500 after she asked her mother to make a payment for the stand.
Ndlovu’s mother went to the city council offices and was told that the stand she had bought didn’t exist, the court heard.
Another homeseeker, Nelson Fuzane allegedly lost a car to Buhlungu after being promised a stand.
After receiving the car worth $5 000 which was said to be the price of the stand, Buhlungu became evasive. Fuzane bumped into accused in January this year as he drove the car in the city centre and he repossessed his car.
Buhlungu is no stranger to the courts as he was recently freed on bail pending appeal following an unlawful entry and theft conviction.
He was part of a four men gang that broke into a house and stole property worth $4 000 including a fire arm.
A court ordered the gang to each restitute the complainant $1 000.
It is the state’s case that to date Buhlungu has only paid $150 and he has been appearing in court seeking extension of payment dates.
Meanwhile, Buhlungu who was not asked to plead to the five counts of fraud when he appeared before Mr Tinashe Tashaya, was remanded in custody to December 15. Chronicle
