Headmaster, 71-year-old relative in court over share fraud

A headmaster at West Ridge Primary School in Ridgeview, Belvedere, and his 71-year-old relative have appeared in court on allegations of fraud after they allegedly misrepresented a forged company resolution to the Registrar of Companies in a bid to secure additional shares.

Thakorbhai Kanjee (73) and Jaya Kanjee (71) appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki facing fraud charges. The matter was remanded to March 19 for trial.

According to court papers, the complainant is Neeshta Urmila Patel (43), a director of T and J Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a company that rents out commercial buildings.

The accused persons, who are Patel's aunt and uncle, are also directors of the same company.

Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that on August 16, 2024, the pair allegedly devised a plan to defraud Patel of her shares in the company.

It is alleged that they submitted a fraudulent board resolution to the Registrar of Companies, falsely indicating that all directors had agreed to a restructuring of the company's shareholding.

Acting on the alleged misrepresentation, the Registrar of Companies reportedly allotted 10 additional shares to each of the accused without Patel's knowledge or consent.

The matter was reported to the police on March 11, 2025, leading to the arrest of the two accused on July 14, 2025.

The State alleges that the accused persons' actions prejudiced the good administration of T and J Investments (Pvt) Ltd.

The trial is expected to determine whether the contested share allocation was lawfully authorised.