happiness ChikwanhaZvikomborero Parafini
TWO suspected bogus land barons appeared in court facing fraud charges yesterday.
They allegedly masqueraded as land officers who had been given the mandate to sell stands by the President’s Office.
The duo of Charles Mpofu and Naster Mbanje appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda.
The court heard that Mbanje is part of a group of people masquerading as land officials, claiming to have been given a mandate to mobilise, and collect money from individuals, for the allocation of land.
Mbanje allegedly collected money from various land seekers, through his alleged accomplice, after promising them land on some farms handed to war veterans by the Government around the Beatrice area.
It is the State’s case that Mbanje created nine WhatsApp groups and added land seekers from around the country, whom she would meet and collect money from.
She would then hand over the money to Mpofu and his accomplices.
Mbanje allegedly pocketed some of the money for transport, lunch, airtime and other administration costs for her to effectively manage the WhatsApp groups.
The two were remanded out of custody to September 9.
Online Reporter