Suspected Eastwind land barons deny contempt of court charges

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

THE trial of suspected Eastwind land barons Rodgers Pote and Trymore Arineshito on charges of contempt of court and carrying out development without approval on an illegal settlement resumed today, with the pair pleading not guilty.

Pote and Arineshito told the court that they received a letter from the task force, which gave them the green light to pay for the regularisation of the land.

They said the letter proved that they were in good books with the City council and it recognised them as owners of that property.

The pair handed over to the court their application for consideration of regularisation. However, the State, led by Mr Takudzwa Mutyavaviri, told the court that the pair’s application was exposing that they occupied the property without any offer letter.

Mr Mutyavaviri said the application for regularisation revealed hey constructed illegal buildings.

During previous court sittings, City of Harare housing director Addmore Nhekairo disowned Pote and Arineshito, saying he never allocated them any land in Mabvuku-Donnybrooke.

Testifying before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Banda, Mr Nhekairo said he did not know of any offer letter that was issued to Eastwind concerning any land in Mabvuku- Donnybrooke.

It is the State’s case that Mr Pasade and his company agreed to develop land on behalf of the Freedom Fighters Development Trust.

Mr Pasade said his company carried out civil works, which are at an advanced stage. However, the accused persons started illegally selling and allocating stands in the area. Mr Pasade’s company acquired a High Court order to remove the illegally settled people.

However, the accused persons did not vacate the stands. Prosecutor Takudzwa Mutyavaviri said in November 2023, the High Court issued a provisional order against Eastwind Trust.

After the order was granted, the accused were served by the Sheriff but continued invading the area in violation of the order.

The complainant is Homegram Investments Limited, represented by Mr Pasade.