Published: 3 hours ago

Former Zanu PF youth leader Jimu Kunaka and his co-accused, Cuthbert Molisen Finiyasi, will spend the night in Harare Remand Prison after a magistrate deferred their bail application to tomorrow.

Kunaka (46) and Finiyasi (71) appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing allegations of fraudulently taking over land belonging to Sunshine Development (Pvt) Ltd. The company, represented by chief projects officer Mandla Marlone Ndebele, is the complainant in the matter.

According to the State, the duo unlawfully occupied stand number 19608 in Mukuvisi Township around 2020, purporting to represent the Ward 2 Flats Housing Pay Scheme. They allegedly conducted illegal excavations, pegging and parcelled out residential stands for sale.

The complainant successfully obtained an interdict order compelling the pair to halt their activities. A second High Court order, issued on September 18, 2023, directed the Ward 2 Flats Housing Cooperative Society to vacate the land within 48 hours of service.

Despite the orders, prosecutors say Kunaka and Finiyasi—who had ceased to be members of the housing scheme as far back as 2019—continued to unlawfully claim ownership of the land. Along with their alleged accomplice, Nomore Mhonde, who is still at large, they are accused of misleading the local District Officer with falsified application lists for regularisation that had not been approved by council.

The State further alleges that on July 7 this year, the accused persons engaged Barrysmith Projects and Developers to develop the land, misrepresenting themselves as the rightful owners under the guise of Ward 2 Flats Housing Scheme. A memorandum of agreement was signed, with Barrysmith promised 55% of the residential stands and a commercial stand as remuneration for development services.

Barrysmith reportedly spent about US$70,000 on preliminary works, including road opening, fencing, and establishing a site office. The alleged misrepresentation exposed Sunshine Development to potential prejudice of US$1.5 million.

The matter continues tomorrow when magistrate Gofa is expected to hear the pair's bail application.


- online

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