Stephen Chadenga
A 74 year old man has been jailed to 30 months in prison after he failed to pay US$85 000 in restitution to River Valley Properties following his arrest in a land scam.
Zvishavane magistrate Tavengwa Sangster jailed Hove to 30 months after he failed to restitute River Valley US$85 000.
The company he engaged to sell the residential stands Otichmar Investments was issued with a warrant of execution and that it’s assets be attached by the messenger of court and sold after it also failed to meet part of the share of the US$85 000 restitution.
Mugeza Hove of Hertfordshire Farm in Gweru benefitted some stands under the government commonage facility when his deceased brother’s farm was possessed for urban expansion.
River Valley Properties however developed residential stands at the piece of land but Hove stole some of the stands belonging to the land developer and started selling them to unsuspecting clients.
According to the state Hove appointed an agent, Otichmar Investments to sell the stands belonging to River Valley Properties.
When the matter was discovered Hove was arraigned before the courts in January this year and sentenced to 30 months of which 12 months were suspended on condition of food behaviour. The remaining 18 months were suspended on condition he performs 630 hours of community service.
The court however ruled that the 30 months were set aside on condition that Hove restitutes River Valley US$85 000 for the stolen stands.
He was given up to February 27 to pay the money but failed to meet that obligation leading to the court to issue him with a warrant of arrest.
The State case was that sometime in 2017 Hove engaged Otichmar Investments to sell his commonage stands.
Hove, the state further noted, gave a list of stands including those belonging to River Valley Properties.