ZANU PF activist Lillian Kandemiri was arrested on Monday for allegedly offering her 15-year-old daughter to a Bulawayo man in marriage as settlement for a $40 000 debt she owed him. NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER
Kandemiri hogged the limelight in 2009 when she led a group of invaders into a Bulawayo City Council-owned farm adjacent to Emganwini high-density suburb.
According to police sources, Kandemiri had been asked to sell a plot in Esigodini on behalf of the Bulawayo man, who was in prison.
“Kandemiri was advised to sell the plot for $40 000 on behalf of the man who was in prison at the time serving a five-year jail term.
“After selling the plot, she was instructed to hand over the money to the man’s wife,” the police source told Southern Eye.
“Kandemiri sold the plot. It appears she did not give the man’s wife the money, but converted it to her own use.
“When the man was released from prison, he discovered that his wife had not received any money from Kandemiri, but the plot occupants had paid for it.”
The source said the man then confronted Kandemiri demanding his money and fearing arrest, she offered him her 15-year-old daughter as compensation.
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“Some time last week, Kandemiri allegedly handed over her 15-year-old daughter to the man and asked him to forget about the debt,” he said.
“However, the matter was reported to the police leading to Kandemiri’s arrest.”
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo yesterday confirmed Kandemiri’s arrest.
“I can confirm the arrest and we are still investigating,” Moyo said.
In 2009, Kandemiri subdivided and parcelled stands on the municipal farm next to Emganwini to about 300 families for a fee.
Council sought an eviction order at the High Court against the invaders after police refused to intervene and the eviction order was granted later that year.
In January 2010, municipal officials together with the police burnt down illegal structures, including one belonging to Kandemiri, and evicted the occupants.
Kandemiri was taken away by police and briefly detained at Donnington Police Station while the illegal settlers were ferried to various destinations where they were dumped by council authorities.
