Five in court over US$4 Million land scam

Zim Now Writer

Five individuals appeared in court yesterday on charges of defrauding a local businessman of approximately US$4 million in a complex land scam. Gerald Saidi, Lovejoy Mujati, Nigel Chimbwanda, Nathan Gowoko, and Timothy Gowo are accused of multiple counts of fraud.

The alleged victims, Andrew Sean Baker, director of Atticus Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Big Poppa’s (Pvt) Ltd, claimed he was duped into purchasing two properties in Harare. The first, a vacant stand in Kuwadzana, was allegedly sold to Baker for US$1.7 million, including additional costs for capital gains tax and transfer fees. The second property, a 109-hectare plot opposite the Defence College in Marlborough, was purchased for US$2 million with similar additional charges.

The accused are alleged to have used forged documents bearing the signatures of senior government officials to convince Baker that the transactions were legitimate. However, Baker encountered difficulties when attempting to develop the Kuwadzana property, as local residents claimed ownership of the land. Furthermore, a report of criminal trespassing was filed against Baker regarding the Marlborough property.

In a separate incident, the accused are accused of misrepresenting a charity donation to Baker. The businessman donated a new, unregistered Toyota Landcruiser ambulance valued at US$100,000, which was subsequently sold by the accused for US$60,000.

The accused, represented by lawyer Mr. Liberty Chirenje, were remanded in custody pending a bail ruling on Thursday. The State alleges that Baker suffered a total loss of US$1,816,000 in the Kuwadzana transaction, US$2,178,000 in the Marlborough deal, and US$40,000 in the ambulance incident.