THE Zanu PF ward 1 councillor for Seke has been granted US$1 000 bail after being arrested on four counts of defrauding two companies of US$4 million.
Blessing Munemo (39) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa who ruled that he was not directly involved in the alleged fraud since he received a sealed envelope from his superior for onward transmission.
Munemo will return to court on August 27 for routine remand pending investigations.
The complainant is Andrew Baker (42).
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that in October 2022, Munemo and his accomplices allegedly misrepresented that they were selling 109ha land in Marlborough, Harare valued at US$2 000 000.
Chirenje alleged that during the period between January and June 2023, Baker paid the total amount in batches.
On July 22 this year, a report of criminal trespass was filed at Malborough Police Station against Baker on the basis that he had trespassed on the land.
On another count which occurred in 2022, the court heard that Munemo and his accomplices allegedly defrauded Baker by misrepresenting that they were selling a stand in Kuwadzana.
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The State alleged that Munemo misrepresented that the land belonged to the State and a company called Anjin Investments will first acquire the land and later sell it to Baker’s company for US$28,50 per square metre.
The court was told that Baker paid US$1 700 000 in full after the accused persons used forms with fake letter heads, date stamps and signatures of senior government officials.
The alleged fraudsters handed over the documents to Baker to convince him that the transactions were legit.
Upon receiving payment, the alleged fraudsters send proof of payment to Baker.
The court heard that Baker received receipts, while he was out of the country.
When Baker, returned he collected a special grant from Munemo’s accomplice for development of the Kuwadzana stand.
In 2024, Baker went to the stand in Kuwadzana intending to fence it, but was stopped by a headmistress of a nearby school who claimed that the land belonged to the school.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Munemo’s arrest.
