State Seeks To Recover Millions From Former Police Boss
The High Court is this week expected to hear a corruption case in which the State is seeking to recover more than US$32 million and seize numerous properties from former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri and his family.
Chihuri, who has been in exile since the military coup that toppled the late former president Robert Mugabe in 2017, reportedly siphoned millions of dollars for his personal, family and cronies’ benefit during the 25 years he was police boss.
He allegedly sold five properties between 2017 and 2018, and buyers paid a total of US$620 000 for the properties.
The five properties were registered in the names of Chihuri’s family members and the State is still trying to figure out how ownership changed in respect of two other assets previously owned by the Chihuri family.
Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi has filed a fresh application seeking an explanation on the sale of the properties. The properties sold include:
- A mansion in Gletwyn sitting on 30 acres of land valued at US$7 million.
- Stand 1421 Gletwyn Township walled, gated with a borehole, water tank, tank stand and wooden cabin. It was sold on 17 July 2018 by Isobel Halima Khan Chihuri to Brian Chijaka for US$130 000. Isobel’s brother, Aitken Khan, had her power of attorney.
- Stand Number 1411 Gletwyn was also sold by True Hope Trust and Khan again stood for his sister. The value of the property is yet to be established.
- On 21 March 2018, Khan sold number 8 St Aubin’s Chisipite in Harare on behalf of owner Samantha Chihuri to Erinah Muchingami for US$365 000. The property measures 9 094 square metres.
- On 29 August 2017, Khan sold another property in Strathaven, registered in the name of Nicole Tawonga Chihuri. The property was sold to Fairline Investments Pvt Ltd for US$125 000.
The Chihuri family is also expected to explain how they acquired Lot 3 of Plot 4 of Juliasdale, Nyanga, a property worth US$3 860 000, and 14453 Ibhalabhala Crescent, Selbourne Park in Bulawayo.
