The High Court has barred Hamilton Property Holdings from selling 43 immovable properties possessed from various debtors pending a criminal investigation against the company owner Frank Buyanga Sadiq. The assets belong to 43 people who borrowed money from Buyanga's Hamilton Property Holdings.

Police are investigating a fraud related case over the manner in which people lost the property to the firm.

Justice Chinembiri Bhunu yesterday granted the interdict after convincing arguments by Chief Law Officer Chris Mutangadura of the Attorney General's Office.

Ownership of the property, according to the court, will not be transferred into other people's names.

After yesterday's court session, a man who is associated with Hamilton Property Holdings was picked up by detectives in connection with the seizure of property.

The man, who could not be easily identified, was taken to the police post at the High Court for questioning.

Buyanga, who is on the police wanted list, left the country at the commencement of the investigations.

Complaints against Buyanga and Hamilton Property Holdings included illegal money lending, fraudulent agreements of sale of certain immovable property, creation of fraudulent powers of attorney, declaration by seller and forged Zimra capital gains tax clearance certificates.