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NewsDay

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Land barons granted bail

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HARARE magistrate Francis Mapfumo yesterday granted bail to seven suspected land barons arrested in Harare last Friday on charges of defrauding desperate home-seekers of thousands of dollars through illegal housing co-operatives.

HARARE magistrate Francis Mapfumo yesterday granted bail to seven suspected land barons arrested in Harare last Friday on charges of defrauding desperate home-seekers of thousands of dollars through illegal housing co-operatives.

by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU

Clifford Chimusoro and Stanley Mugadza of Ebenezer Housing Co-operative were the first to appear in court after the State denied them bail on their initial appearance in court on Friday.

They are alleged to have defrauded home seekers of $134 000.

Mapfumo granted the pair $500 bail each coupled with stringent reporting conditions.

Chimusoro and Mugadza were ordered to report three times a week at Harare Serious Frauds Squad, reside at their given addresses until the matter is finalised, surrender their passports to the clerk of court and not to interfere with investigations or State witnesses.

The next batch of the alleged land barons was a group of five led by Innocent Chakandinakira.

Chakandinakira is jointly charged with Driver Kasambarare, Pardon Manyima, Dominoco Mark and Daniel Nyamuno for allegedly swindling desperate home seekers of thousands of dollars by illegally selling council and State land.

Mapfumo granted them $100 bail each with conditions.

They were ordered not to conduct themselves as leaders of Bhora Mugedhi Housing Co-operative, not to interfere with State witnesses and to report to the police once a week on Fridays.

Prosecutor Michael Reza appeared for the State in both cases.

All the suspected land barons were remanded to September 17 for routine appearance as investigations continue.