Lawyer & estate agent appear in court accused of defrauding a UK-based businessman of $227 000

Lawyer, Salim Suleman Desai, and an estate agent,Laws Organisation, represented by its director, Ray Walbridge, last Friday appeared in court accused of defrauding a United Kingdom-based businessman of $227 000 in a botched five-hectare land sale during the Zimbabwe dollar era.

The two are facing theft by conversion charges. Walbridge’s defence counsel, Advocate Zvikomborero Chadambuka, applied to have the matter postponed saying Desai had instructed Advocate Thabani Mpofu to represent him.

Prosecutor Mr Timothy Makoni opposed a postponement saying the complainant, Mr Guy David Morris, travelled from UK on a £2 200 plane ticket. Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo ruled that the accused were summoned to court in October and had ample time to prepare for trial.

The trial starts today.

More: Herald

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