Chiredzi town secretary in court for US$75 000 fraud

Sheronrose Mugombi, [email protected]

THE Chiredzi town secretary allegedly defrauded land seekers of US$75 000.

Wesley Kauma allegedly demanded five shops worth US$75 000 the Chiredzi Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber to facilitate transfer of land that the local authority had awarded to the chamber.

In a statement on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said in 2013 the Chiredzi town council offered Kauma a commercial stand measuring 2195 square metres in the New Central Business District (CBD).

“In 2023, the town council resolved that the stand that had been sold to the accused person must be handed over to the Chiredzi Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber following their application for a commercial stand. The Council resolved that the accused person was to be given another stand in Melbourne Park,” said the NPAZ.

“When the Chiredzi Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber began the construction of a shopping mall the accused person allegedly approached them and ordered them to stop any further developments, claiming that he owned the stand. Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) revealed that the accused person demanded payment from the Chiredzi Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber to continue with the developments on the stand.”

“The Chiredzi Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber gave in to the accused person’s demands and agreed to hand over five shops to the accused person once the project was complete. The five shops were valued at US$75 000.”

“The accused person will appear in court on 31 July for the commencement of trial.”