Jailed Zimra staffer’s corruptly acquired property worth US$1,1m handed to State

Properties worth about US$1,1m including mansions in Glen Lorne & Shawasha Hills in Harare, a flat & Benz acquired through corrupt means by a Zimra official convicted of fraud in 2018 have now been forfeited to the State by High Court.

This means the former ZIMRA staffer, Tapiwa Evans Chidemo is not only serving a jail term, but has lost the fortune he acquired when he diverted to his own use VAT refunds meant to be paid to Zimra clients through the Paynet system.

The National Prosecuting Authority said it has disgorged Chidemo of ill-gotten wealth and with the latest court order, had taken the property belonging to Chidemo who was prosecuted and convicted for misappropriating a total of US$1 119 833,96 from Zimra.

Chidemo was charged with nine counts of fraud and one count of money laundering and found guilty of two counts of fraud and sentenced to six years imprisonment in 2018.

The properties in the order are: Stand 215 Glen Lorne; stand 3036 Shawasha Hills, Glen Lorne; C Class 1997; and 2 500 ordinary shares of $2 in Derwent Lodge (Pvt) Ltd giving rights of occupation of flat number 19 Derwent situated at No 9 Josiah Chinamano Avenue, said the NPA. -ZANU-PF Patriots Information desk