Mukushi Housing Co-operative chairman, Simon Boora (33) was yesterday slapped with 12 years’ imprisonment for selling non-existent residential stands to prospective land seekers.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
The convict, a former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing ministry employee, was initially charged together with seven others, who were acquitted by provincial magistrate, Tendai Mahwe.
Boora will effectively serve a five-year term after Mahwe suspended three years on condition of good behaviour and another four years on condition he pays restitution of $80 277 to six complainants on or before September 31 this year.
According to State papers, Boora misrepresented to land seekers that Mukushi Housing Co-operative was authorised by the Local Government ministry to sell residential stands in Pomona.
As a result, Boora sold stands to unsuspecting land seekers and in the process received between $6 000 and $24 000 from the six complainants.
The matter came to light after the complainants were told by officials from the Local Government ministry that the Pomona stands were never allocated to any developer or housing co-operative.
The complainants later discovered that Mukushi Housing Co-operative was not registered and, when they realised they had been duped, they reported Boora to the police, leading to his arrest.
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Francesca Mukumbiri appeared for the State.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation bosses, who are facing allegations of un-procedurally acquiring 35 vehicles from Croco Motors, yesterday gave the State notice of their intention to apply for refusal of remand if it failed to provide a trial date on next Wednesday.
Acting chief executive, Patrick Mavhura and acting head of finance and administration, Benania Shumba were arrested in June this year and charged with criminal abuse of office.
The pair’s lawyer, Oliver Mushuma told court the case against his clients was weak, as it had been shown by the State’s failure to provide a trial date.
Mahwe sought postponement of the hearing to allow the defence to provide the State with a written application for discharge.
Mahwe remanded the matter to next Wednesday, when he is expected to hear their application. Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.
