State To Confiscate Mansions And Cars Belonging To ZIMRA "Fraud" Millionaire
The State is set to seize two mansions in Glen Lorne in Harare, a flat in Harare’s city centre and a top-of-the-range vehicle which belong to former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) employee.
The ex-ZIMRA employee, Tapiwa Evans Chidemo is alleged to have fraudulently siphoned about US$1,2 million from the taxman’s bank account.
Chidemo worked as an accounting officer in Zimra’s Value Added Tax (VAT) department and earned a total of $76 279 during his period of employment stretching from 2010 to 2016.
The former tax collector was once charged with nine counts of fraud involving about US$1, 3 million but was acquitted of seven of them.
He was convicted of two counts involving US$460 538 and was jailed six years for the two counts. The prosecution however since appealed Chidemo’s acquittal on the other seven counts of fraud involving US$778 547. The appeal is still pending at the High Court.
The State wants to forfeit the following properties:
- Number 215 Folyjon Crescent, Glen Lorne
- Number 3036 Shawasha Hills, Glen Lorne
Flat 19 Derwent Lodge, number 9 Josiah Chinamano Avenue, Harare- Stand Number 2800, 12th Parklane Court (Pvt) Ltd
- Mercedes Benz E-class (ADN 5756
The High Court is however yet to rule on the application for civil forfeiture.
More: Nehanda Radio; The Chronicle