CHURCH BISHOP IN COURT OVER US$80,000 STAND FRAUD
Bishop Emmanuel Muzondi of Emmanuel Global Church International Ministries appeared in court yesterday on allegations of defrauding Lovemore Paipamire, the director of Pasmic Procurements Private Limited, of a substantial sum of US$80 000 in residential stand deal.
The 49-year-old cleric, facing charges of fraud, appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Rufaro Panavanhu.
He was granted bail set at US$200 and is scheduled to return to court on February 24.
The State, represented by Ms Dzidzai Josiah, outlined the case against Muzondi.
According to the prosecution, the events began in July 2023, when Paipamire was approached by two estate agents, Milton Tirivanhu Vambe and Samuel Pardon Dandira.
The agents informed him that Muzondi was offering a residential stand for sale in Mandara Township, Harare. Upon expressing interest, Paipamire was introduced to Muzondi, who allegedly made a series of misrepresentations regarding the property.
Muzondi is accused of falsely claiming ownership of stand number 1154 in Mandara, a property measuring 3,073 square metres, which he alleged to have acquired in 2016.
To support his claims, he allegedly presented a fraudulent agreement of sale and an allocation letter purportedly signed by the then-Acting Director of Housing and Community Services, Mathew Marara, dated November 16, 2016.
However, it was later discovered that the company cited in the sale, Pragmer Investments Private Limited, was not even registered at the time, and the agreement of sale bore a suspicious date of April 23, 2018.
The court heard that Muzondi personally escorted Paipamire to the stand, where the complainant expressed interest in purchasing it for US$80,000.
On July 31, 2023, Muzondi allegedly arranged for the payment to take place at the office of his associate, Kuziva Zimunya, located at 83 Central Avenue, Harare.
Paipamire reportedly paid US$75,000 in cash during this meeting and was issued a receipt in Muzondi’s name as proof of payment. He later paid the remaining balance but did not receive a receipt for the final installment.
Complications arose when Paipamire attempted to take possession of the stand.
Muzondi allegedly became evasive, avoiding all attempts at engagement. After months of fruitless efforts, Paipamire reported the matter to the police on December 11. *_-Herald_*
