With elections due in March, Van Hoogstraten's arrest was a political move designed to shore up Mugabe's position, Banks said.
"Mugabe is running out of patronage," he said. "There is a shortage of sweeteners he can offer to try to buy support. His arrest may signal Mugabe intends to start seizing Van Hoogstraten's assets."
Van Hoogstraten's arrest is the latest in a long line of clashes with the law. In the 1960s Van Hoogstraten -- who has referred to his tenants as "scum" -- was jailed for four years for arranging for a hand grenade to be thrown through the window of someone who owed him money. In 2002 he was convicted of manslaughter after a business associate, Mohammed Raja, was shot and killed by two hired hitmen.
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