ZANU PF businessman Themba Mliswa was on Wednesday charged with fraudulently acquiring properties worth US$25 million from two white farmers after allegedly lying to them he could prevent their land from being acquired for resettlement.

A bail hearing is expected on Thursday but the state has indicated it will oppose the application insisting Mliswa could interfere with witnesses some of whom are yet to be located.

The state, according to court papers, will also argue that Mliswa is facing serous allegations and “chances of him escaping to neighbouring countries are high since he has associates in those countries (and) has means to start a new life anywhere else”.

In the first case prosecutors allege Mliswa approached Karoi farmer Petros Jacobs Van De Merwe whose land was gazetted for acquisition in June 2004 and offered to help the farmer auction his equipment.

Van De Merwe had been given until October of the same year to wind down his operations but Mliswa claimed authorities would not allow him to sell his equipment.

The state claims Mliswa – a member of ZANU PF and vice president of the Affirmative Action Group – then told the farmer he was connected to influential people and could help dispose of the equipment for a 10 percent commission.

Prosecutors allege Mliswa sold the property which included a 104 herd of cattle, heavy vehicles, tractors and other equipment, altogether valued at US$3.6 million then converted the proceeds to his own use.

In the second case prosecutors accuse Mliswa of approaching Kwekwe farmer, Nico Van Rensburg whose farm had also been gazetted for acquisition and offered to “protect” him.

The farmer was made to sign an agreement which claimed the property had been sold to Mliswa in the vain hope this would stave-off acquisition.

“After conclusion of this purported agreement (Mliswa) then took 3000 herd of cattle worth US$900000 and farm equipment that included bulldozers, tractors, lorries, graders pick up trucks all valued at US$20000000.

“The farmer later realised that he had been duped after Mliswa later claimed ownership of the said property on the strength of the said agreement,” prosecutors said.

Mliswa was also arrested last week on charges of fraudulently acquiring shares in a Harare business in a case that sucked in Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa – to whom he is related – and co-Home Affairs Minister, Theresa Makone.

He was jointly charged with Mutasa’s son Martin and police accused the two ministers of trying to intimidate officers into releasing them from custody.

The ministers denied the charges.

Meanwhile police also said they are preparing 40 new cases against Mliswa.

Asked by the businessman’s lawyers why the cases had taken long to come to court, prosecutors said Mliswa intimidated investigating officers and claimed he was untouchable because of his political connections.

(Source)