HARARE — Prominent Harare lawyer Jacqueline Sande and her law firm have appeared in court accused of failing to account for nearly US$34,000 entrusted to them by a client for conveyancing and tax-related payments.

Sande and Sande Legal Practice appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo facing theft of trust property charges. Sande was granted US$150 bail.

Prosecutors allege that in January 2023, a Karoi farmer engaged Sande’s firm to handle the sale of his residential property at 16 Pershore Rise in Northwood, Mt Pleasant, Harare, for US$350,000.

The property was subsequently sold to Timothy Maregere, with the proceeds deposited into the law firm’s trust account, according to the State.

Prosecutors allege that on May 4, 2023, the complainant deposited a further US$33,979.50 into the account to cover conveyancing fees, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority clearance and stamp duty.

The State alleges the firm did not complete the conveyancing process or make the required Zimra and stamp duty payments.

The complainant later confronted Sande and demanded the return of his money after discovering that the agreed work had allegedly not been carried out, prosecutors said.

Sande and the firm allegedly failed to account for the funds, prompting the complainant to report the matter to Borrowdale police. The case was subsequently referred to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Commercial Crimes Division for investigation.

Prosecutors put the alleged loss at US$33,979 and said none of the money had been recovered.

The allegations have not been proven in court.