Prominent Harare lawyer nabbed for corruption
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Harare lawyer, Agness Chatsama on allegations of fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Chatsama is accused of conniving with Ariginero Muzeya to deceive the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property to transfer Patrick Court located at the Corner of Nelson Mandela and Sixt Avenue in Harare, from Newcorner Emporium Pvt Limited to Talati Family Trust, for USD 251 368-00.
Muzeya (still at large) has been leasing the property from Newcorner Emporium Pvt Limited, a company owned by the Patrikios family, from the year 2002.
The two allegedly misrepresented to the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property that a board resolution authorising Muzeya to sell the property he was leasing had been granted by Newcorner Emporium Pvt Limited.
Chatsama and Muzeya also presented a Capital Gains Tax Certificate, purportedly from ZIMRA, fully knowing that it was a false document.
Acting on the misrepresentation, the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property transfered the property in question to the Talati Family, in the process prejudicing the Patrikios family of USD 800 000-00.
Chatsama will appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Friday 27 September 2024.