FORMER Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) chief
executive Frank Chitukutuku has made his first attempt at explaining how he
acquired massive wealth valued at over US$20 million following an order
compelling him to do so.
Chitukutuku, who is under investigation for fraud, was in
June given a 30-day ultimatum to give an account of how he acquired an array of
immovable and movable assets, amid suspicion he obtained them corruptly.
Under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act
(2013), authorities are empowered to scrutinise individuals’ wealth for the
purposes of arresting crimes such as corruption and money laundering.
Chitukutuku was ordered to submit a detailed statement to
the head of Asset Forfeiture Unit within 30 days.
High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere also ordered the
freeze of Chitukutuku’s assets pending finalisation of the criminal case.
Last week, police confirmed Chitukutuku complied with the
order and that his docket was now being scrutinised by the National Prosecuting
Authority (NPA).
A docket, according to the police, has since been compiled
and is now at the NPA for scrutiny as investigations continue.
Through the statement submitted to the police, Chitukutuku
explained how he acquired the immovable and movable assets.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi confirmed receipt of a statement from him.
“We can confirm that we received the statement and we are
now looking into the issue. He (Chitukutuku) must wait for the due processes of
the law to be followed,” he said.
Sources close to the investigations also told The Herald
that Chitukutuku recently gave a detailed statement to the head of the police’s
Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) within a month.
This was after the State had claimed that Chitukutuku may
have acquired his property through criminal activities, hence the need to have
the same frozen.
The decision was made following an ex-parte application by
Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi for an unexplained wealth and asset
freezing order in terms of Section 37B as read with Section 37H of Presidential
Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of
Crime Act (Chapter 9:24) and Exchange Control Act) Regulations, 2018 (Statutory
Instrument 246 of 2018).
Justice Ndewere ruled in favour of the State and barred any
interested parties from dealing, in any way, with the property in question.
The order was issued after convincing arguments by the
prosecution team led by chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura.
Mr Mutangadura heads the asset forfeiture unit at the NPA.
Chitukutuku is said to have acquired 10 motor vehicles
between September 2013 and April last year.
These vehicles include two Mazda T35 trucks, a Hino Dutro
truck, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Prado, Nissan NP200, Range Rover, Hino
Ranger and a Land Rover Discovery.
Sometime in 2011, Chitukutuku reportedly acquired
residential properties namely: Property measuring 4 048 square metres held
under Deed of Transfer 3232/11 situated at Lot 1 of Lot 3 of Lot 56A Borrowdale
Estate, Harare and another one measuring 8 853 square metres held under Deed of
Transfer 3885/11 situated at Lot 3 of Subdivision C of Subdivision B of
Subdivision D of Nthaba of Glen Lorne.
The State also claims Chitukutuku built or acquired a
multi-million dollar thatched precast-walled house at the top of a mountain at
Belmont Farm, Goromonzi, adding he also has six state-of-the-art fowl runs,
five tractors, a 10-tonne UD truck, 4 x 200-litre PVC water tanks, as well as
several structures at the farm.
Apart from a long list of expensive properties, Chitukutuku
is also said to be the owner of two renowned companies, Farm Pride (Private)
Limited situated at 49 Kent Road, Chisipite, Harare and an insurance company,
Champions Insurance, which boasts of assets estimated at over US$15 million.
According to the State, Chitukutuku acquired the properties
at a time he was lawfully earning a combined $8 500 from Zinara as well as his
farming activities. Herald
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