School head, wife in the dock

The head of Westridge Primary School and his wife have appeared in court facing fraud charges linked to an alleged unlawful increase of their shareholding in a family-owned company.

Thakorbhai Kanjee (73) and Jaya Kanjee (71) are on trial before the Harare Magistrates Court, presided over by magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe.

The couple is accused of fraudulently increasing their shares in T and J Investments (Pvt) Ltd without the consent of another director, Neeshta Urmila Patel, who is also the complainant in the matter.

Patel told the court that the company, which owns and leases commercial properties, was founded in 1990 by her late father, Arvindbhai Bhikubhai Patel, alongside the accused, who are her uncle and aunt.

According to her testimony, her father held 20 shares, while each of the accused held 10 shares.

Following her father's death in 2015, Patel said she was appointed executor of his estate and inherited his shareholding in the company.

She told the court that in August 2024, the accused presented a special resolution proposing equal distribution of shares among shareholders, which she refused to sign.

Despite her refusal, she said she later received a Return of Allotments (CR11) showing that both accused had each allocated themselves an additional 10 shares.

Patel said she attempted unsuccessfully to access company records from the Registrar of Companies before filing a police report in March 2025.

The complaint led to the arrest of the couple in July 2025, and the matter has now proceeded to trial.

The case continues as the court examines allegations of fraudulent alteration of shareholding within the family business structure.