Three land barons accused of defrauding Harare home seekers of US$320,000
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Three suspected land barons have been arrested in Harare for allegedly selling residential stands worth US$320,000 on privately owned land without authorization.
Tafadzwa Runesu, Siblinsiyo Mutiza and Ramos Masize appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo on Monday, where they were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing set for Tuesday.
Prosecutors allege the trio misrepresented themselves as the lawful owners of Lot 14 Spitzkop in Zvimba and sold residential stands to several unsuspecting buyers between 2022 and 2025.
The land in question is owned by a private entity represented by Khumbulani Magama. Authorities say the accused issued receipts and collected payments from the victims despite knowing they had no legal claim to the property.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on illegal land sales that have plagued Zimbabwe’s urban and peri-urban areas, where demand for housing has surged amid a lack of formal development.
