Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
THREE commercial farmers have appeared before a Harare magistrate facing fraud charges after allegedly using fraudulent documents to seize ownership of centre pivots valued at more than US$232 000 from another farmer.
James Glen (58), an employee of Klein Karoo Seed Marketing Pvt Ltd, Bradley John Pybus (43), a director of Bigtull Investments, and David Lindsay Clements (56), also a director of Bigtull Investments, appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa.
The trio was remanded out of custody to June 29 for trial.
The complainant is Agrilliance Pvt Ltd, represented by Mr David Leonard Van Breda (58).
Prosecutors allege that in August 2017, Agrilliance entered into a farming agreement with Klein Karoo Seed Marketing Pvt Ltd, facilitated by Glen.
Under the agreement, Klein Karoo leased three centre pivots valued at US$232 773,89 to Agrilliance.
In return, the company was required to grow and supply seed maize, sorghum and soya beans over a four-year period to cover the purchase price of the equipment, as well as repair, insurance and related costs.
The State alleges that after acquiring the pivots under the lease arrangement, Agrilliance entered into joint ventures with several farmers to install and operate the equipment.
A 60-hectare centre pivot was erected at Fupojena Farm in partnership with Shearman Mkwesha, while a towable 50-hectare pivot was installed at Lionsville Farm (Talbec).
The third towable 50-hectare pivot was erected at Bosbury Farm in a joint venture with Notayl Matemasango.
According to the prosecution, Agrilliance fully paid for the three pivots in 2018 through an offset arrangement involving the delivery of the contracted seed crops to Klein Karoo.
In April 2020, Pybus and Clements allegedly approached the complainant seeking to purchase the three pivots.
The offer was declined, with Agrilliance indicating that it intended to relocate the equipment from the Chegutu area to Middle Sabi in Manicaland.
The State alleges that in October 2020, the three accused acted in connivance to deprive the complainant of ownership of the pivots.
Glen allegedly generated three letters which were distributed to the owners of the farms where the pivots had been installed, claiming that the equipment belonged to Klein Karoo Seed Marketing Pvt Ltd.
Prosecutors allege that the accused subsequently sent workers to remove the 60-hectare pivot from Fupojena Farm and transport it to Henderson Farm without the knowledge or consent of the complainant.
The other two pivots remain at Bosbury Farm and Lionsville Farm.
The State alleges that the complainant suffered prejudice amounting to US$232 773,89 and that none of the property has been recovered.
