Crimes and Courts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HARARE \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The magistrate postponed the bail ruling to allow the state more time to prepare its response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kunaka and Finiyasi will spend the night at Harare Remand Prison awaiting their fate tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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