 British property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten arrested at the weekend for possessing pornography and flouting tough exchange laws. Related Articles Reserve Bank of Zim: A den of gangsters Unpacking the Butau-Gono forex scandal
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28 January 2008
HARARE – British property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten who was arrested at the weekend for allegedly flouting Zimbabwe’s tough exchange regulations and possessing pornography is expected to appear in court today.
Van Hoogstraten was arrested on Thursday for allegedly charging rent for his properties in Zimbabwe in foreign currency, an offence under the country’s foreign exchange regulations.
Police spokesman Andrew Phiri said Van Hoogstraten would appear before a magistrate today.
“He is still in police custody and will appear in court on Monday morning," Phiri said.
The British property tycoon, who has close links with President Robert Mugabe’s government, 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. - ZimOnline
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