NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit Targets US$50m Ill-gotten Properties
The Asset Forfeiture Unit at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is targetting six high-profile individuals who reportedly accumulated vast assets worth over US$50 million through proceeds of crime.
Those on the NPA’s list are exiled former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, ex-ZINARA chief executive officer Frank Chitukutuku, Mutare businessman Believe Ranguna, Wilfred Shereni, an employee of the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC); Tapfumaneyi Zunguza, a revenue officer at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority; and Tapuwa Chidemo, a former accountant at the tax collector’s office.
The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit has since lodged High Court applications to seize assets from the six individuals.
The suspects allegedly acquired vast asset portfolios that include business properties, houses and motor vehicles.
Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi told The Sunday Mail that the NPA was determined to recover all the money that was stolen from the Government. He said:
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We are seeking recovery of all money which was stolen from Government.
We are going to be revisiting cases in which some people were acquitted, even those who are yet to be prosecuted, we are going for them.
In the case of Zunguza, prosecutors want to seize several properties from the suspect and his spouse, who was his alleged accomplice. An internal NPA memorandum reads in part:
Both respondents employed by ZIMRA as revenue officers and are husband and wife, acquired Stands 3807 and 3808 in Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, Harare, measuring 475 square metres and stand 237, Helensvale Township, Borrowdale, Harare, measuring 2 200 square metres and a Mazda BT50 Twin cab with registration numbers ACT 3233 for the total value of US$762 000.
Chidemo, a former ZIMRA accountant who is serving a six-year sentence following his conviction for pilfering over US$1 million from ZIMRA, could lose several properties. Said the NPA:
A former ZIMRA accountant stole US$1 239 083,93 from Zimra and was prosecuted and sentenced to six years in jail.
Meanwhile, the respondent, who acquired the following property, has the matter set down for hearing on January 29, 2022 for forfeiture hearing: Stand number 3036 Shawasha Hills, Glen Lorne; and 215 Foly Jon Crescent, Glen Lorne Harare; stand 215 Glen Lorne Township 8 of Lot 40 A Glen Lorne, Harare, until determination of case number HC 7353/17; stand 2800 12th Share of Parklane Court (Pvt) Ltd until determination of case number HC 7353/17; flat 19 Derwent Lodge, Number 9 Josiah Chinamano Avenue, Harare; and a Mercedes Benz C Class 1997 model registration number AND 5756.
