HARARE - The trial of MDC spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora, who is facing theft of trust property charges, opened yesterday at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts.
Mwonzora is allegedly failing to reimburse funds to Everson Shepherd Dandadzi, following an aborted sell of a Mabelreign property.
The court heard that in May 2006, Dandadzi advertised in a State-controlled newspaper that he was selling a residential stand in Mabelreign through CB Richard Ellis, a registered estate agent.
The court was told that Stephen Matongo expressed interest in buying the stand, which was valued at Z$4 billion.
During the same month, the two parties entered into an agreement of sale of the said property.
They decided that the agreement of sale was to be signed upon payment of a deposit of Z$2 billion.
Matongo is said to have paid the money on the same day. It is alleged in August of the same year, Matongo made two separate cheque payments through Dandadzi’s bank account.
It is alleged Dandadzi was not happy with the delay in payment of the last instalment, arguing that it had been eroded by inflation.
The two had disagreements resulting in Dandadzi instructing Mwonzora to cancel the agreement of sale.
According to State papers, after the cancellation of the agreement, Mwonzora did not remit the money, thereby prejudicing Dandadzi.
However, Mwonzora, through his lawyer Eric Matinenga instructed by Trust Maanda, yesterday denied the allegations.
He claims he never received any money from Dandadzi as alleged.
Dandadzi testified yesterday in the trial, which was deferred to January 23.