The criminal case of two suspects who forged title deeds to Dzingai Mutumbuka’s US$60,000 house in Harare’s Chisebeti has been postponed for a third time after the lawyer of one of the suspects asked for more time.
Justice Ethel Chichira adjourned the case to January 24, 2024 and expressed concern over the long delay in the case.
Kudzanai Mudzamiri is the new public prosecutor representing the state in this case.
The state says Tatenda Shaft Wakatama (44) of 10049 Unit H Sekki Chitungwiza, Prosper Beswick (43) of 15331 New Zingiza 4, Siki Chitungwiza both non-employees, and Juna Njom of 13819 Kwadzana Extension colluded on June 22, 2021 to forge the title deed of Mutombuka 4480/ 88 Bassem Nojoumi. With the help of an officer in the Deeds Office, they took out the instrument and returned it after it had been forged.
Wakatama and Beswick, who were arrested in October 2021, appeared in court today on charges of forgery. Nojomi, the main suspect, is at large. The trial was supposed to start on November 9, 2023, and was postponed to November 29, then January 16, and today it was postponed to January 24. It is not clear why it took so long for the trial to begin after the suspects were arrested in October 2021.
The state also says that after forging the title deed, the trio advertised the house and Harrison Marang and his wife, Demetria Zieringa, agreed to buy it for just $140,000. They paid US$45,000 of the agreed upon down payment of US$90,000. The sale agreement was prepared by lawyer Kenias Mutiera who will appear in court as a witness.
The Registrar of Deeds is one of the witnesses and will testify that the house belongs to Mutombuka and that the title deed was indeed forged.
Mutombuka, Zimbabwe’s first Minister of Education, now resides in the United States and is represented by Webster Tambandini who has power of attorney. Masvingo mirror
