Three in Court for Illegally Occupying Stands

 Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent 

Three men accused of unlawfully occupying pegged stands without authorisation from the Manyame Rural District Council have appeared in court.

Nelson Bobo, 42, Martin Bobo, 44, and Enock Mabika, 46, all residents of Chitungwiza, were arraigned before Magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates' Courts on charges of fraud. The trio was granted bail, each ordered to deposit US$100, and are scheduled to return to court on October 23.

According to the State, represented by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, the alleged offenses date back to 2022. At that time, the Manyame Rural District Council, following a request from the Chinhanga village committee, pegged stands for local villagers in Chinhanga.

However, from 2022 to 2023, the accused, along with accomplices Nathan Fundikwa, Nefteri Mutizira, Tafadzwa Bobo, Courage Chidenga, Sauzeni Shuva, Dadirai Tapfuma, Amon Chiuta, George Bobo, Musafare Chidhau, and Biggie Bhobho (who remain at large), are said to have unlawfully occupied the pegged stands without council approval.

Despite being issued with prohibition orders to cease further developments, the accused allegedly ignored these directives and continued to develop the invaded land. It is further alleged that they also began parceling out and selling sections of the prohibited land.

The matter came to a head on September 26, 2024, when the police, during an operation dubbed "No to Land Barons," were tipped off, leading to the arrest of the accused.