Leo Mugabe in trouble

Businessman Leo Mugabe has been reported to the police for allegedly trying to take over a multi-million dollar gasification project in Hwange through underhand deals.

Mugabe's first bid in 2013 fell flat after major shareholders in the Build-Own-Operate and Transfer (Boot) project approached the High Court and acquired a provisional order which the company's lawyers Samkange and Venturas said was never challenged.

"This is a new bid. After failing to use a certain company [name withheld] as well as some in the management team, Leo Mugabe has now sought the help of a minority shareholder with a shoddy background to wriggle [his way] into the company," Hwange Coal Gasification Company (HCGC) buyer Jonathan Samukange said last week.

Leo is the son of President Robert Mugabe's late sister, Sabina.

HCGC managing director Guo Feng said one of the minor shareholders had forged papers in a bid to grab the company.

"We have since approached authorities because one of the minority shareholders Ma Guixi with 5% shareholding has created fraudulent papers that he has been splashing around in government offices, claiming he just woke up as the majority shareholder," Guo said.

"Guixi is also claiming in the said documents to have fired other shareholders, which is preposterous to say the least.

"We understand Guixi is currently in Mozambique trying to sort out his papers because his visa here had expired.

"We understand the Chinese embassy is also keen to interview him because they are aware of his fraudulent activities."

Leo Mugabe dismissed the allegations and instead claimed he had a standing agreement with Tiyuan Sanxing and by extension owns 25% of HCGC.