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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
Flamboyant businessman and musician Energy Mutodi is expected back in the courts facing fresh charges of theft of trust property after he allegedly defrauded the National Housing Development Trust (NHDT) of more than $300 000.

Mutodi (36) was summoned to appear at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on June 11 for commencement of trial.

Mutodi is the founder of NHDT, but the board, represented by Boniface Chikono, resolved to cause his arrest after he allegedly stole $341 314 from the company’s account which was meant for land development.

The NHDT is involved in property development. It purchases land which it subdivides into residential stands which are then allocated to subscribing members. In the past the majority of the members have been civil servants whose subscriptions are deducted directly from by the Salary Service Bureau (SSB).

According to the State papers, Mutodi is the sole signatory to the trust account and on May 8 last year the account had $626 058.

It is alleged Mutodi withdrew $341 314 from the account, which was meant for land development for members who were waiting to get their residential stands.

Mutodi, the court heard, converted the money to his personal use.

The offence only came to light on June 20 and Chikono made a report to the police against Mutodi.