Call for ZACC probe into “unmitigated greed” expos...

Call for ZACC probe into “unmitigated greed” exposed by Simba Chikore’s divorce response papers

Zim Now Writer

Arosume Property Development has said that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission should investigate Mugabe family property acquisitions. Arosume said that stands in Carrick Creagh listed by Simba Chikore in his response to Bona Mugabe’s divorce application have had their title deeds cancelled and have reverted to the State.

“It has come to our attention through the media and confirmed in the divorce papers in the matter between Bona Nyepudzai Ouma Mugabe and Simbarashe Chikore in HC1521/23 that between the two of them, they claim to own 213 794 square metres of Carrick Creagh Estate, land listed under various stand numbers in their divorce papers. We confirm that we have no business interests in the vast extents (of) Helensvale land listed in Mr Chikore’s papers. The extent of land grabbing is indicative of serious unmitigated greed,” said Arosume Property Development in a statement released yesterday.

“We advise the public that the two are not owners of the said stands. On 28th October 2022, the Hon Minister of Local Government and Public Works gazetted his intention to cancel title issued in favour of two companies in which Mrs Chikore is a director, Navline Investments (Private) Limited and Montshow Investments (Private) Limited.”

Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo cancelled the title deeds in terms of the law on February 1 this year

Arosume said that their legal representatives have since advised Mugabe and Chikore’s lawyers of the position and demanded that the properties in question be removed from the divorce list.

Arosume Property Development said it is in public-private-partnership with the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. The company said it also has a separate agreement with the Ministry of National Housing, and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe. Both agreements are for the development of ultra-low-density housing in Carrick Creagh Estate of Borrowdale, which was compulsorily acquired under General Notice 161/2006 and is therefore State land until properly transferred.

The developer said it shall be pursuing the recovery of the rest of the Carrick Creagh stands listed in the papers, which were not properly acquired.

Arosume Property said in addition to the pieces of land claimed by Ms Mugabe and Chikore, other individuals linked to the Mugabe family have contested possession of another 178 500sqm of Carrick Creagh land.

“We also advise the public that the transfer of land into the names of persons and companies connected to the former First Family was reported to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission as far back as 2017, (and) no credible progress has been made to date.

“Our suggestions to ZACC that it records statements from Rhory Shawatu, who signed almost all the power of attorney documents used in these transfers or the former directors of the companies (Kumbulani Murenga and Miriam Gwekwerere) that received title, have fallen on deaf ears,” said Arosume Property.