British tycoon held in Zimbabwe

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Police raided the 64-year-old's home in northern Harare following a tip-off that he received rent for houses, apartments and shops he owns in Zimbabwe in hard currency, state radio reported.

During the swoop on Thursday, police found pornographic material featuring Van Hoogstraten and a 22-year-old Zimbabwean woman.

The alleged offences carry the penalty of a fine and forfeiture of money held in violation of the nation's currency laws.

State radio said Van Hoogstraten was found with about 35,000 US dollars (£17,700), small amounts of other hard currencies and 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars in cash - worth about 5,000 US dollars (£2,525) at the dominant illegal black market exchange rate.

The state Herald newspaper, in a front page report, said Van Hoogstraten owned more than 200 properties in Harare and the second city of Bulawayo.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena was quoted by the newspaper as saying that informants reported that Van Hoogstraten demanded rent in hard currency, including six months' payment in advance.

He is to appear in court on charges under currency laws relating to illegal dealing in hard currency and censorship laws on possession of pornography. No date for his arraignment was set, Mr Bvudzijena was quoted as saying.

Van Hoogstraten allegedly asked one police informant for 8,000 US dollars (£4,000) in advance on a property rental deal, Mr Bvudzijena was quoted as saying.

Van Hoogstraten, a frequent visitor to Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, was not available for comment at his home in the wealthy Harare suburb of Emerald Hill.