News / Regional
Former mayor cleared of fraud charges
30 Nov 2015 at 13:03hrs | Views
EX-Gwanda mayor, Lionel de Necker has been cleared of fraud charges but he insists damage has been done on his reputation.
The former MDC official was accused of selling a commercial stand to two prominent businessmen.
Two weeks ago he briefly appeared before magistrate Sheila Nazombe.
He wrote on his twitter account this afternoon " Fraud case against me was thrown out of court today at the Magistrates Court in Gwanda.
"I feel justified, but the damage has been done".
Recently he posted m saying "Facing one of my toughest battles yet. They want me gone for good. Huge betrayal from former colleagues".
Between December 2013 to August 2015, De Necker was said to have approached Joseph Mutiyeni, proprietor of Growly Enterprises, and advised him that he was selling a commercial stand, Number 635 Soudan Street, which he had bought from council.
The two entered into a deal and the stand was sold for $15 000, with Mutiyeni initially making a deposit of $5 200 and later settling the balance.
De Necker allegedly later went to Charles Tshuma, proprietor of Oasis Hardware, and sold the same stand for $20 000.
Mutiyeni became suspicious in August last year when he realised that his stand was being developed by Tshuma and reported the matter to the police, leading to De Necker's arrest.
Mutiyeni, Tshuma and Mandlenkosi Moyo, the economic development officer at the municipality, will be called as State witness.
The former MDC official was accused of selling a commercial stand to two prominent businessmen.
Two weeks ago he briefly appeared before magistrate Sheila Nazombe.
He wrote on his twitter account this afternoon " Fraud case against me was thrown out of court today at the Magistrates Court in Gwanda.
"I feel justified, but the damage has been done".
Recently he posted m saying "Facing one of my toughest battles yet. They want me gone for good. Huge betrayal from former colleagues".
Between December 2013 to August 2015, De Necker was said to have approached Joseph Mutiyeni, proprietor of Growly Enterprises, and advised him that he was selling a commercial stand, Number 635 Soudan Street, which he had bought from council.
The two entered into a deal and the stand was sold for $15 000, with Mutiyeni initially making a deposit of $5 200 and later settling the balance.
De Necker allegedly later went to Charles Tshuma, proprietor of Oasis Hardware, and sold the same stand for $20 000.
Mutiyeni became suspicious in August last year when he realised that his stand was being developed by Tshuma and reported the matter to the police, leading to De Necker's arrest.
Mutiyeni, Tshuma and Mandlenkosi Moyo, the economic development officer at the municipality, will be called as State witness.
Source - Byo24News
