Prosper Dembedza — A bogus Commissioner of Oaths, who is facing allegations of defrauding prospective property buyers of US$97 000, was yesterday denied bail by Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.

Lewis Beta (30) will need to make a fresh bail application at the High Court. A director for Frelis Services (Pvt) Ltd, Beta is being represented by Mr Killian Mandiki while prosecutors Mr Max Msutu and Ms Tariro Chingaya are appearing for the State.

It is the State's case that sometime in 2023, Beta and his seven accomplices allegedly defrauded unsuspecting buyers of properties by illegally facilitating the transfer of a property which belonged to Mr Octavious Chikonyora and his wife.

The property in question is Stand Number 589 Rietfontein Township of Lot 15 Rietfontein, Harare.

It is the State's case that on December 2, 2023, Beta allegedly misrepresented that he was a Commissioner of Oaths and that Mr Chikonyora had appeared before him to make a declaration for a lost title deed.

The court heard that Beta went on to commission the declaration for the lost title deed that was made in the name of Mr Chikonyora.

It is further alleged that when Beta commissioned the declaration, he knew very well that he was not a Commissioner of Oaths and that the owners of the property in question had not appeared before him declaring a lost title deed.