The controversial businessman, who is believed to have close ties with
President Robert Mugabe’s government, was arrested last week for allegedly
charging rent for his properties in Zimbabwe in foreign currency, an offence
under the country’s foreign exchange regulations.Van Hoogstraten, who is expected to appear in court later today, is also
facing charges of possessing pornographic material in violation of Zimbabwe’
s censorship laws.”The charges are a deliberate and malicious entrapment scheme. I deny all of
them,” said the businessman in a statement. He did not say who was out to
trap him or for what reasons but emphasised there was nothing political in
the matter.”I would like to emphasise that the misconception that might arise in the
press or elsewhere that I have fallen out with the Zimbabwe authorities is
utterly false,” said Van Hoogstraten.Describing charges against him as a “minor irritation”, Van Hoogstraten said he was confident the courts would clear him.The British property tycoon, who was being held in police custody over the
weekend, is said to own over 200 residential and business properties and an
estimated 600 000 hectares of land in Zimbabwe.Zimbabwean police say Van Hoogstraten was caught in possession of 37 586
United States dollars, 92 880 South African rands, 190 British pounds as
well as 20 billion Zimbabwean dollars.
Post published in: News