Farmer in court over tobacco contract fraud

A 46-year-old farmer has appeared in court on fraud charges after allegedly misrepresenting the status of his tobacco crop to secure funding worth more than US$51 000.

Oosthuizen Jennie Lourence appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Michael Mafukidze, where he was granted bail and is expected back in court on May 4.

The State alleges that in November 2025, Lourence approached Horizon Leaf Tobacco, through its finance manager Hildah Tsungai Serere, seeking a contract farming arrangement.

After an inspection of his farm in Trelawney, Banket, company officials reportedly observed what appeared to be a healthy tobacco crop at different growth stages and agreed to enter into a contract valued at US$51 020.

Instead of cash, Lourence was allegedly supplied with farming inputs to support production under the agreement.

However, it is alleged that he failed to disclose that the same crop had already been committed to another financier.

When the tobacco marketing season opened in February 2026, Horizon Leaf Tobacco expected delivery of the crop, but Lourence allegedly failed to fulfil the agreement.

He is further accused of later claiming, through his lawyers, that his farm and crops had been taken over by another creditor over an outstanding debt.

The company reportedly suffered a financial loss of US$51 020 as a result, according to prosecutors.

The case continues as he awaits his next court appearance.