Harare man duped in botched Marondera farm deal

Two suspected fraudsters appeared in court Tuesday for defrauding a prospective land owner of US$10 000 in a botched land deal The suspects, Martin Harry and Wilbert Kahari allegedly masquraded as officials from the Ministry of Lands, and claimed to be selling farming plots in Marondera, the court heard Magistrate Rufaro Panavanhu remanded them to today for bail application It is the State’s case that the complainant Moses Safarawo in May 2025 decided surprise his father Gumisai Muzamhindo by buying him a piece of land as he was interested in farming

He then met Harry through an agent named Bothwell Mutonyora who allegely offered to sell him a piece of land measuring 18,4 hectarrs for US$10 000 at Chidodzo Farm in Marondera On May 1, 2025 the complainant borrowed US$4 900 from his uncle Mbano Takesure which to top up his money for purchase of the land On June 3, 2025 the complainant then met with Harry at Newlands Shopping Centre, Harare, where he gave him US$10 000 for the land On the same date, they both signed an agreement of sale and was later given what appeared like a genuine government

On July 11, 2025, complainant’s uncle Mbano raised alarm after scrutinizing the alleged offer letter They then together went to view the piece of land in question and discovered that it was along the Feruka Pipe Line which made it impossible for farming and it also fell another farmer’s plot On the same day, Mbano accompanied complainant to the Ministry of Lands office at Marondera where their offer letter was dismissed as fake After that, Harry allegedly became evasive until the matter was reported to police leading to his arrest

Harry the implicated Kahari and two other suspects, Ishmael Kwaramba and one Taku Chitepo or Mutasa, who are still at large.

Source: NewsDay Zimbabwe