Crimes and Courts
HARARE – Former Zanu PF youth leader Jimu Kunaka and his co-accused, Cuthbert Molisen Finiyasi, were remanded in custody on Tuesday after their bail application was postponed to Wednesday by Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
The duo, alongside a third suspect who is still at large, faces serious allegations of fraudulently seizing and attempting to sell land belonging to Sunshine Development (Pvt) Ltd, causing potential prejudice of US$1.5 million.
Kunaka, 46, and Finiyasi, 71, are accused of masquerading as representatives of the “Ward 2 Flats Housing Pay Scheme” to illegally invade, peg, and sell residential stands on Stand Number 19608 in Mukuvisi Township, Harare.
According to court papers, the complainant, Sunshine Development, represented by its Chief Projects Officer Mandla Marlone Ndebele, was forced to seek a High Court interdict to stop the illegal activities in 2023.
Prosecutors allege that despite having ceased to be members of the housing cooperative in 2019, the accused continued to fraudulently claim ownership of the land.
“In a bold move to legitimize their grab,” a state prosecutor outlined, “the accused allegedly presented a compiled list of applications to local authorities, misleading them into believing the pay schemes were under consideration for regularization.”
The case took a more serious turn on July 7, 2025, when the accused, along with the fugitive Nomore Mhonde, reportedly entered into an agreement with a development company, Barrysmith Projects and Developers.
“They falsely represented themselves as the rightful landowners,” the court heard, “leading Barrysmith to mobilize equipment and commence development work on the site, incurring costs of approximately US$70,000.”
Under the alleged agreement, Barrysmith was to receive 55% of the residential stands and one commercial stand as payment for developing the land they believed was legally owned by Kunaka and his group.
The magistrate postponed the bail ruling to allow the state more time to prepare its response.
Kunaka and Finiyasi will spend the night at Harare Remand Prison awaiting their fate tomorrow.
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