Zimbabwe National Tire Company Managing Director Benson Philip Samudzimu has lost US$120,000 to a property developer who sold him four residential stands with disputes pending in the courts without informing him.
The first defendant is Brian-Ryan Developments and the second defendant is represented by Brain Mazhanga as a co-director of the company.
Mazanga through his lawyer
Mr Taurayi Chirinda was granted bail of US$100 and was remanded in custody until 5 March.
Prosecutor Mr. Rufaro Shunzhi alleged that during the period from June 2019 to March 2023, Mazanga representing the company approached Samudzimo on four different occasions in need of cash to run his business for their residential stalls in Norton.
Samudzimu showed interest and both parties agreed that the stands would be worth US$30,000 each.
He then paid Mazhanga a total of $120,000 for Nos. 14140, 32693, 14192 and 32690 Norton Township of Galloway on four different occasions.
During the sale of the aforementioned stands, Mazanga assured Samudzimo that the stands had properly approved zoning permits from Norton City Council.
The court heard that, following the sale, Samudzimu later established that the terraces he had bought from Mazhanga had a case pending in the High Court, which showed that another company Peterhands Private Limited was claiming ownership of the same four terraces and Norton City Council revoked the permit so that Samudzimu could not develop the terraces.
Samudzimu then engaged Mazhanga who continued to make false promises that he would correct the problem.
He later proved that he had been deceived and filed a report with the police on February 2.
Police investigations led to Mazanga’s arrest.
Samudzimu suffered an actual prejudice of US$120,000 and nothing was recovered. Announce
