Convicted land barons get further four years each

TWO land barons from Gweru who were sentenced to seven years in March for duping 32 home seekers and swindling them of over $34 000 will serve an additional four years each after they were convicted of duping yet other home-seekers of over $7 000.

Jaison Sibanda (49) of Ascot Infill who is the chairman of Zvidozvevanhu Housing Co-operative and his accomplice Bigboy Khumalo (55) of Mkoba 7 appeared before Midlands provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa last week facing seven counts of theft by conversion.

They pleaded not guilty but were, however, convicted and sentenced to four years after a full contested trial. In passing the sentence, the magistrate said a custodial sentence was justified considering the pair’s actions.

“The two accused persons stole from residents who were homeless and trusting, only to be duped of their money.

“They are not remorseful with their actions and are not even willing to restitute the complainants their money,” she said.

In defence the duo told the court that they had deposited part of the money into the account of the Zimbabwe Housing Trust.

“The other part of the $7 231 was the one which we used for transport to go to Harare where we used to buy our receipt books and for each meeting we held we would use money.

“In fact in 2016 we engaged a new manager who was employed by the housing trust, he was the one who cheated us and he also confused us,” said Sibanda.

The duo had in March this year been sentenced to seven years by Gweru magistrate Mr Musaiona Shotgame for a similar offence.

Prosecuting, Mr Andrew Marimo told the court that in September 2010 the duo and their accomplice who is still at large formed a housing co-operative which was to assist home seekers in obtaining stands.

“The terms and conditions of the co-operative was that members would pay their contributions to the co-operative and it would then transfer the money into Zimbabwe Housing Project’s account,’ said Mr Marimo.

He said the prospective home seekers made payments to Sibanda and Khumalo from September 2010 to October 2016.

Instead of transferring the money into the Zimbabwe Housing Project bank account, the two converted it to their own use.

The matter came to light on 12 October last year when the home seekers went to Zimbabwe Housing Project to be allocated stands.

They were advised that their payments were not up to date.

A report was made at Gweru Central Police Station leading to the arrest of the duo. Of the $7 231 stolen nothing was recovered.