Mr Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross, and his wife Sandile Hilda are in danger of losing two properties in Harare, Zimbabwe, valued at $300,000. These properties are situated in the upscale neighbourhoods of Mt Pleasant and Vainona, in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital.
According to Zimbabwe press reports, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), through its Asset Forfeiture Unit, petitioned the High Court for an unexplained wealth and freezing order on the properties.
The court granted the order, citing insufficient lawful income and the absence of a clear paper trail to justify the purchase of these properties, which raised suspicions of serious crime.
Kwesiga, who was employed by the Danish Red Cross in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013, and his wife now have 30 days to account for the origins and movement of the funds used to buy the houses.
Our inquiries for a comment from the office of Mr Kwesiga went unanswered by the time of publishing this story.
If they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation, the properties may be declared tainted and subsequently forfeited to the state. The judgement, issued on May 15, 2024, prohibits the couple or any representatives from disposing of the properties until the order is either varied or set aside by the court.
