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Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
EVEREST Nyamadzawo (39), the principal estates officer at the Ministry of Local Government, on Wednesday appeared in court on extortion charges related to problematic land deals.
He was granted US$100 bail by Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
The charges stem from a 2008 transaction in which Cabletron Enterprises (Private) Limited bought land from the Ministry for housing development, totalling US$1 537 676.88.
It was later discovered that some of this land was privately owned, leading the Ministry to cancel those leases and promised compensation with State-owned land.
However, the compensation process was delayed, prompting Cabletron to file a complaint with the then Local Government Minister, July Moyo, in 2021.
In response, the Minister established a team led by Deputy Director of Legal Services Kudzai Lucia Murefu to investigate the complaint.
The team confirmed that the Ministry owed Cabletron 30,773 hectares of land. Following their recommendations, the Minister approved the compensation and on September 29, 2021, the Acting Secretary notified Cabletron of the agreement.
On February 3, 2022, Nyamadzawo sought approval to allocate land to Cabletron.
As the company identified State-owned land for compensation, it is alleged that he and his accomplices began to intentionally delay the necessary paperwork.
Beginning November 18, 2022, Cabletron submitted several layout plans to Nyamadzawo, who informed the Surveyor General’s Office that Cabletron would cover all associated costs.
As the process neared completion, Nyamadzawo allegedly attempted to extort eight residential stands from Cabletron managing director Shepherd Katuruza, claiming this was necessary to expedite the paperwork.
On August 17, 2023, Nyamadzawo reportedly provided personal details of his spouse to Katuruza, instructing him to allocate stands to her.
A subsequent handwriting analysis confirmed that the handwriting in Katuruza’s diary was indeed Nyamadzawo’s.
In March 2024, his accomplice, Shingirai Mushambo, exerted further illegal pressure by attempting to redirect the compensation to land already allocated to another company.
In addition, Nyamadzawo’s accomplices, Fortune Chitambo and Regina Nyamowa, are implicated in withholding the signing of title deeds to force Katuruza into compliance.
The alleged actions of Nyamadzawo and his accomplices allegedly caused significant financial harm to Cabletron Enterprises, potentially costing the company over US$300 000 due to delays in the compensation process.
The accused are charged with using their positions to enrich themselves, obstructing the company’s ability to operate effectively.
Online Reporter