HARARE – Former Zanu PF youth leader Lewis Matutu on Tuesday appeared in court charged with fraud involving US$150,000.
He is accused of stealing shares from a local mining company.
He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova, who remanded out of custody awaiting trial.
Bail did not arise as he was coming from home.
Sometime in 2018, Matutu allegedly connived with Blessing Kusangaya, Tafadzwa Kusangaya, Muzimba Muhamba and Chikwasha Muhamba and hatched a plan to steal some shares from Shisib Investments, a mining company.
They allegedly prepared annual returns dated April 30, 2018, which were back-dated from years 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and forged signatures of both the complainant and one Lyton Shumba, purporting that they had prepared the returns in which complainant had signed as the director, whilst Shumba had signed as the secretary.
“The returns were filed at registrar of companies, notifying the registrar of false information that changes had been made in terms of shareholding structure and directorship of Shusib Investments, that is to say accused persons had allotted themselves shares of the company, and were now the majority shareholders,” said Takudzwa Jambawu, prosecuting.
“The offence came to light on September 30, 2024, when complainant was informed by the department of Parks and Wildlife that they had been instructed by accused persons to suspend all mining operations, as they had agreed as shareholders to sell the mining claim, hence the department of Parks and Wildlife was requesting for a meeting with a Shusib Investments representative.
“Also, using the illegally acquired shares accused attended an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 19, 2024, and removed complainant from directorship of his company, and also resolved to change the company address.”
The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that the company suffered an actual prejudice of US$150,000 and nothing was recovered.
