THE court has issued a warrant of arrest for Zanu PF Makoni
North legislator, James Munetsi, after he failed to appear in court for trial
in a case where he is accused of duping several people in a land scam.
Munetsi (50) was expected to appear before magistrate
Yeukai Chigodora on trial, but failed to turn up in court. The complainant in
this matter is Opper Williams, a pastor at Faith of God Ministries and 178
others.
Allegations are that sometime in 2012, Williams was
introduced to Munetsi who was a Zanu PF councillor for Mayo ward 35 in Makoni.
Williams was told Munetsi was able to assist her and other pastors of her
church to secure land for farming in the Mayo area. It is alleged after some
months, Munetsi hatched a plan to defraud the unsuspecting land seekers and
invited Williams to Mayo area to have a look at the land waiting to be
allocated. The complainant was allegedly shown the application forms of the
land which had monetary requirements of $105.
The State alleges the complainant was convinced and she
paid $105 for five hectares of land. Other pastors who had accompanied her
allegedly also paid their money to Munetsi to be allocated five hectares each.
Sometime in 2013, Williams phoned Munetsi requesting for lease papers of their
purchased land but Munetsi allegedly told her that he had been given another
bigger place at Wenslydale Farm. Munetsi allegedly told Williams to look for
buyers interested in bigger plots measuring 15 hectares at $200. As a result,
Williams invited a number of people. It is alleged Williams went and advised
her church members, friends and relatives some as far as from Australia, United
Kingdom, Afghanistan, South Africa and Botswana. It was allegedly agreed
between Munetsi and Williams that the complainant would receive the payments on
behalf of the Zanu PF MP.
The State alleges at one point, Munetsi came to Harare and
went to Faith of God Ministries church where he addressed the congregants about
the land. He made the complainants fill forms, including purported offer
letters from Rusape Rural District Council.
He promised to bring them back after they have been stamped
by council and their receipts as proof of payment.
It is alleged as time progressed, land seekers became
impatient and approached Williams who in turn looked for Munetsi who now became
evasive.
The State alleges Munetsi was then arrested in February
2015 and he allegedly admitted to defrauding the land seekers of $60 000 and
nothing was recovered.
Devoted Nyagano-Gwashavanhu appeared for the State. Newsday
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