'Spiritual Spectacles' prophet in another court no-show

Prophet Tapiwa Freddy has once again failed to appear in court in an ongoing legal dispute with Craft Properties (Pvt) Ltd over a residential plot in Kadoma. Since the case began on February 7, 2025, it has been postponed seven times due to Freddy's repeated absence.

Kudakwashe Taruberekera, founder and CEO of Craft Properties, told reporters outside the court on Friday that the company had originally donated the residential stand to Freddy in 2016. However, the donation was revoked in 2021 after Freddy failed to meet certain agreed-upon conditions. Earlier this year, Freddy reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging corruption in the revocation process.

"I can't say much since this case is before the courts," Taruberekera said. "We are disappointed by the continued absence of Prophet Tapiwa Freddy from court proceedings. This is a serious matter, and we expected all parties to show due respect to the legal process. The case has been before the court seven times since February 7, 2025, but the court has not yet ascertained the real charges Freddy is bringing against Craft Properties and me."

The dispute is pending at the Kadoma Magistrate Court, with the next hearing scheduled for June 2. Freddy's absence has raised concerns about delays in resolving issues related to donor agreements in property transactions.

Efforts to reach Freddy's lawyer, Jivas Mudimu, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable.

In a separate case in Chinhoyi, a magistrate has fined Chinese company Jiangxi Reshing (Pvt) Limited US$200 for failing to comply with provisions of the National Social Security Authority (NASSA). Magistrate Nyasha Marufu ordered the fine to be paid by May 30, 2025, and also instructed Jiangxi Reshing to pay NSSA a total of US$96,914.42 in prejudiced contributions.

According to the prosecution, from May 2022 to May 2025, Jiangxi Reshing unlawfully under-declared its number of employees liable for NSSA registration and contributions. The company declared only 61 employees instead of the actual 273, causing NSSA to lose US$82,417.42 in pension contributions and US$14,497.29 in premiums for accident prevention and workers' compensation schemes.

Meng Qingyuan of Jiangxi Reshing was represented by lawyer Ngonidzashe Charewa of Murisi and Associates, while the case was prosecuted by Rutendo Ngambizi.