News / National
Zanu-PF youth leader on the run over US$9,000 farm scam
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ZANU-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs in Goromonzi District, Arthur Chidenhe, is reportedly on the run after allegedly defrauding a local farmer, Kurt Tatenda Jingura, of US$9,000 in a fraudulent farm deal.
Chidenhe is alleged to have worked in connivance with Desmond Mupezeni, the district secretary for legal affairs, and Redeemer Mushawatu, who has since been arrested and charged with fraud. Mushawatu appeared before the Goromonzi Magistrate's Court last week.
According to court documents, the incident dates back to September 2023, when Jingura, a Borrowdale-based farmer, was in search of farmland. A friend, Lovemore Kurotwi, referred him to the accused persons, who claimed they could assist.
Jingura reportedly met the accused at the Goromonzi turnoff and was taken to Ardulussa Farm in Bromley, where they discussed a deal. The agreement stipulated a payment of US$7,500 per 10 hectares, amounting to US$15,000 for 20 hectares.
When Jingura inquired about official paperwork, the accused assured him it would be ready within a week. In October, they further demanded an additional US$2,000, allegedly to expedite the process at the Lands Office and to hire a cartographer for marking the farm's coordinates.
However, it was later discovered that the land in question was not available for disposal. Investigations revealed that Jingura's purported allocation of Plot 10 at Ardulussa Farm was non-existent and that the offer letter provided to him was fake.
Jingura suffered financial prejudice amounting to US$9,000, and none of the money has been recovered.
Law enforcement agencies are now on the hunt for Chidenhe and Mupezeni, while Mushawatu remains in custody awaiting trial.
The case has raised concerns about the exploitation of land-seeking farmers and the abuse of political positions for personal gain. Authorities have urged victims of similar scams to come forward and report the culprits.
Chidenhe is alleged to have worked in connivance with Desmond Mupezeni, the district secretary for legal affairs, and Redeemer Mushawatu, who has since been arrested and charged with fraud. Mushawatu appeared before the Goromonzi Magistrate's Court last week.
According to court documents, the incident dates back to September 2023, when Jingura, a Borrowdale-based farmer, was in search of farmland. A friend, Lovemore Kurotwi, referred him to the accused persons, who claimed they could assist.
Jingura reportedly met the accused at the Goromonzi turnoff and was taken to Ardulussa Farm in Bromley, where they discussed a deal. The agreement stipulated a payment of US$7,500 per 10 hectares, amounting to US$15,000 for 20 hectares.
However, it was later discovered that the land in question was not available for disposal. Investigations revealed that Jingura's purported allocation of Plot 10 at Ardulussa Farm was non-existent and that the offer letter provided to him was fake.
Jingura suffered financial prejudice amounting to US$9,000, and none of the money has been recovered.
Law enforcement agencies are now on the hunt for Chidenhe and Mupezeni, while Mushawatu remains in custody awaiting trial.
The case has raised concerns about the exploitation of land-seeking farmers and the abuse of political positions for personal gain. Authorities have urged victims of similar scams to come forward and report the culprits.
Source - newsday
