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Margaret Matibiri Herald Reporter
A land baron formerly employed by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing who defrauded home seekers of more than $80 000 was on Thursday slapped with an effective five year jail term.

Simon Boora (33), who was a chairman of a housing cooperative, was convicted of six counts of fraud after a fully contested trial.

He was denying the charges but the State led by Ms Francesca Mukumbiri managed to prove its case.

Magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe sentenced Boora to a combined 12 years behind bars before setting aside three years on condition of good behaviour.

For each count, Boora was sentenced to two years in prison bringing the number of years to 12.

Four years were further suspended on condition Boora restitute $80 277 to the complainants.

Mr Mahwe then effected five years.

When Boora initially appeared in court he was jointly charged with Grace Panemene (28), Audrey Ndofeni (27), Aaron Muzaza (26), Joseph Muwanzi (24), Stephen Mupambo (30), Owen Katsande (32) and Ignatius Mugoni (29) who were later cleared of the charges.

Boora misrepresented to the complainants that his housing cooperative called Mukushi had been given permission by the ministry to sell stands in Pomona on behalf of the ministry.

It was proved that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing had never allocated any stands to any developer or any housing cooperative.

Boora tricked the complainants by using stamps and other documents that were used by the ministry.

He had accessed the stamps and documents from the ministry during the time he was still its em- ployee.

Payments of the said stands were either made directly to Boora or transferred to Mukushi Housing Cooperative’s POSB bank account.