Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya , Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) yesterday swooped on a senior Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) officer deployed to Beitbridge to explain how he became a business tycoon owning seven houses, a lodge, and seven vehicles across the country.
A team of nine officers from Zacc visited Mr Knox Ozipatele Mutatabikwa, who is the second in charge at VID Beitbridge, and served him with a High Court order compelling him and his wife Mrs Maonei Memory Mutatabikwa to explain their empire of seven houses worth more than US$1,3 million and a lodge worth US$400 000 and seven vehicles worth around US$22 000.
Mr Mutatabikwa owns Mutsa Lodge situated at Khwalu 1 suburb with a value of US$400 000 and has 15 days to respond to Zacc with the proof of funds and proof of acquisition.
According to the High Court Order dated 23 December 2023 and signed by High Court Judge, Justice Chikowero J, the Mutatabikwas must furnish Zacc with all the details pertaining to acquisition of the property and provide supporting documents.
“The 1st and 2nd Respondents shall each give a sworn statement to the Head of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Unit at 1872 Betterment Close, Mount Pleasant Business Park, Harare within 15 days of service of this order upon each setting out the nature and extent of the 1st and 2nd Respondents” interest in the property specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (m)below, explaining how the Respondents obtained the property ( including, in particular, how any costs incurred in obtaining it were met) and producing all supporting documents and receipts showing proof of legitimate business and source of income for the acquisition of the following property,” read part of the court order.
Some of the listed properties include houses on stand number 8622, Khwalu 1 suburb and stand 3890 Dulilvhadzimu worth US$150 000 and US$90 000 respectively. In addition, the couple owns stand 2501 in Dulilvhadzimu Beitbridge and stand 5609 in Norton all worth US$150 000 each.
Other houses were built on house 8621 Khwalu suburb, Beitbridge, and another house built on stand 207 Adlyn township in Harare worth US$300 000.
“The other properties include Mutsa Guest lodge on stand 8659 Khwalu 1 suburb, Beitbridge with an estimated value of US$400 000 and another house on stand 8547 in the same suburb with an estimated value of US$400 000,” says the court order.
The couple must also prove how they raised money to buy a Toyota Allion, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Premacy, an Amarok, another Toyota Allion all worth over US$22 000.
“The 1st and 2nd respondents or anyone acting through them be and are interdicted from disposing or dealing with the property referred to in paragraph one of this Order until the terms of this order are discharged by order of this court,” says the court order.
“An Investigating Officer in the employment of the Zimbabwe Anti- Corruption Commission and/or other law enforcement officers proper to the execution of warrants be and are authorised to enter into any precinct in which motor vehicles specified in the paragraphs one (I) to one (m) are physically stationed between 0800 hours and 1600 hours in the afternoon or any day.
“The respondents or anyone acting through them and are interdicted from disposing of or dealing with the property referred to in paragraph one which shall be under receivership of or trusteeship of the Asset Management Unit until the terms of this Order are discharged by order of this court”.
In his response yesterday, Mr Mutatabikwa said he had nothing to hide and that it was not the first time he had been under investigation.
He said in 2004 another team from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) conducted investigations and concluded that his business was legitimate.
Mr Mutatabikwa said he used his package from PG Industries where he used to work as a manager before joining the VID to buy the lodge from the late farmer and businessman, Mr Fanuel Mulaudzi.
“With respect to the house in Adlyn and the Amarok, these are part of her package from FC Motors where she used to work as an executive director and we have all the documents,” he said.
“You will also note that I am an A2 farmer in the Makwiro area where I grow and sell tobacco and the proceeds from there have helped me invest in the property business. In fact, the prices of those properties have been inflated.
“The closure of major hotels in the town and the Covid-19 lockdown were a boost for my lodge and I have managed to re-invest the money buying housing stands and developing them into houses.
“I have been through this road before and I have no fear. So, I will respond to the court order within the given time frame”.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter