FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe, who has gone full throttle in
expanding her real estate portfolio, has bought a US$4,2 million plot that was
earmarked for a housing development project in the plush Helensvale area of
Harare’s Borrowdale suburb as she grows her empire, the Zimbabwe Independent
can reveal.
Grace has been splurging millions of dollars on houses,
cars and jewellery despite the fact that her business empire, under the
Gushungo Holdings’ Alpha and Omega Dairies banner, is in the doldrums,
incurring perennial losses since 2013.
Information gathered by the Independent shows that in
November 2016, Grace paid US$4,2 million to a Harare man, Jan Teede, for a plot
measuring 55 hectares which is located at 336 Carrick Creagh Road. The property
overlooks President Robert Mugabe’s iconic “Blue Roof” mansion. The plot,
situated nearly 500 metres from Borrowdale Country Club, was first bought by
Teede in 1983.
Teede confirmed that he had sold the property to Malthill
Investments, a company linked to Grace. The Independent could not extract a
file on Malthill at the Companies Registry in Harare.
“Full payment has been made, but the property has not yet
been transferred. This, however, is imminent,” Teede said in a written response
to questions sent.
“Malthill Investments (bought the property). I do not know
the shareholdings of this company, and have not enquired. I understand that
Grace Mugabe is one of the directors. The business has been handled by Kennan
Properties and I left all negotiations to them. We have not, contrary to
speculation, been given Reserve Bank permission to externalise the funds.”
Teede further said he had plans to develop houses on the
expansive property, adding that he could move out of the property by December
this year, after the purchase.
“The house itself is a fairly humble dwelling, but on a
large and valuable property (55 hectares) that I purchased in 1983. I was in
the process of commencing a housing development on it, (approx 73 plots, with
sub-division rights granted) when I received an offer for the entire property,”
Teede said.
“No, we are still in situ. we have been given some time
(perhaps a year) to remain after transfer, but I have no idea whether this will
be a de facto situation, or whether we will be asked to move out soon after
transfer.”
The Independent visited the property this week. The sprawling
plot is strewn with mainly Msasa trees and metal sculptures close to the
entrance. The property is fortified with a parameter fence.
Checks by the Independent show that Grace has also bought a
property in Sandhurst, Sandton’s most affluent area for R45 million (US$3,5
million) and is also negotiating to buy another. The property is located at
Number 37 Killarney Road. The price could go up to a whopping R49 million
(US$3,7 million) when transfer costs, renovations and finishings are added.
She has also been renting a huge South African property
owned by Angolan immigrants for R200 000 (more than US$15 000). zimbabwe independent
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