Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
The trial for 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 has been deferred to Wednesday for continuation.
Pote and Arineshito have pleaded not guilty to the charges being levelled against them.
The pair, in their defence, argued that the land which they occupied does not fall under the complainant’s property.
Pote and Arineshito told the court that they received a letter from a City of Harare task force, which gave them the green light to pay for the regularisation of the land.
However, the State, led by Mr Takudzwa Mutyavaviri, told the court that the pair’s application exposed the fact they occupied the property without any offer letter
Mr Mutyavaviri said the pair’s application for regularisation also revealed they built illegal buildings.
During previous court sittings, City of Harare housing director Mr Addmore Nhekairo disowned Pote and Arineshito, saying he never allocated them any land in Mabvuku-Donnybrooke.
It is the State’s case that Mr Jason 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 got a High Court order to remove the illegal settlers but the accused persons did not vacate the stands.
