Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 183
- 97
A HARARE lawyer and his secretary have appeared in court accused of misappropriating more than US$1.3 million collected from people purchasing residential stands in Tynwald, Harare.
Joseph Mandizha, 58, and Ranganai Tigere, 47, are facing charges of theft of trust property and money laundering after allegedly diverting funds meant for a property development project to their personal use.
The two appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa and were each granted US$1,000 bail after spending the weekend in custody.
According to the State, Mandizha owns Mandizha and Company Legal Practitioners, where Tigere works as a secretary.
The law firm was reportedly engaged in 2017 by Martmon Sibindi Trust, which owns 16.1883 hectares of land in Tynwald, to handle the financial and legal aspects of a residential stand development project.
Its responsibilities included preparing agreements of sale, dealing with prospective buyers and accounting for funds collected on behalf of the trust.
Mandizha allegedly recommended Heaven on Earth Real Estate, a company in which he is the majority shareholder, to market the residential stands.
The State alleges that from January 2023, the two began diverting some of the payments received from buyers instead of remitting the money to the intended beneficiaries.
Investigators further allege that they used two sets of receipt books to conceal the transactions.
Tigere allegedly recorded different payment amounts in a dummy receipt book and the original receipt book, creating discrepancies in the project's financial records.
The alleged scheme was reportedly uncovered in March this year after irregularities were detected in the project's cash inflows and outflows.
A subsequent audit allegedly established that US$1,333,342 had been converted to the pair's personal use.
The State further alleges that Mandizha used part of the money to purchase a mine in Marondera in an attempt to disguise the origin of the funds.
No money or assets have reportedly been recovered.
Lawrence Gangarahwe appeared for the State, while the accused were represented by Nyadumbi of Musara Law Chambers.
The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and both accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Joseph Mandizha, 58, and Ranganai Tigere, 47, are facing charges of theft of trust property and money laundering after allegedly diverting funds meant for a property development project to their personal use.
The two appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa and were each granted US$1,000 bail after spending the weekend in custody.
According to the State, Mandizha owns Mandizha and Company Legal Practitioners, where Tigere works as a secretary.
The law firm was reportedly engaged in 2017 by Martmon Sibindi Trust, which owns 16.1883 hectares of land in Tynwald, to handle the financial and legal aspects of a residential stand development project.
Its responsibilities included preparing agreements of sale, dealing with prospective buyers and accounting for funds collected on behalf of the trust.
Mandizha allegedly recommended Heaven on Earth Real Estate, a company in which he is the majority shareholder, to market the residential stands.
The State alleges that from January 2023, the two began diverting some of the payments received from buyers instead of remitting the money to the intended beneficiaries.
Investigators further allege that they used two sets of receipt books to conceal the transactions.
Tigere allegedly recorded different payment amounts in a dummy receipt book and the original receipt book, creating discrepancies in the project's financial records.
The alleged scheme was reportedly uncovered in March this year after irregularities were detected in the project's cash inflows and outflows.
A subsequent audit allegedly established that US$1,333,342 had been converted to the pair's personal use.
The State further alleges that Mandizha used part of the money to purchase a mine in Marondera in an attempt to disguise the origin of the funds.
No money or assets have reportedly been recovered.
Lawrence Gangarahwe appeared for the State, while the accused were represented by Nyadumbi of Musara Law Chambers.
The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and both accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.