Rental madness: Zim house in Burnside listed for R90K a month – cheaper to buy a beach house in SA
A storm of disbelief and anger has swept across Zimbabwe after a house in Burnside, Bulawayo, was reportedly advertised for ZAR90,000 (approx. USD 5,000) in monthly rent — an amount that many say is “out of touch” with Zimbabwe’s economic realities.
The conversation was ignited by prominent businessman Busisa Moyo, who posted the shocking revelation on X on the morning of 1 July 2025, writing:
“Fellow landlords & property owners why are we running amok on rentals? I just saw a house in Burnside Bulawayo going for ZAR90,000 per month.
This means one is paying rentals that are equivalent to buying a seaside cottage every year in Scottsburg South Africa and Port Shepstone in KZN?
Is this sustainable? What am I missing?”
The post attracted over 54,800 views within hours and triggered a national conversation about Zimbabwe’s worsening rental crisis.
‘This is madness!’ – Zimbabweans slam landlords online
Within hours, social media exploded with outrage. Many described the rent as “criminal”, “unsustainable”, and “a sign of a broken system.”
A user, @Infinite_Sophy_, said:
“These rental prices are getting out of hand! How are people supposed to afford basic housing at this rate?”
Another user, @HenFung, added:
“Dzosera mota yembavha!! [Return the car you got from the thief!] You can’t be charging that kind of rent in a failed economy.”
@MukayaBingo commented:
“Everything in Zwe is abnormal, because we are led by criminals who idolise thieving!”
@Johwan1969 joked:
“Rest assured it’s either a typo or a joke… not even a drug dealer would be so uninformed as to pay $6,000.00 per month for a house in Bulawayo.”
@bigblckcap16564 warned:
“Bubble! Tha real estate market! When it goes burst, pane anochema! [someone will cry]”
Even seasoned commentators were baffled. @Chamunofara simply wrote:
“It’s a bubble, it will burst soon enough…”
‘This is not investment – this is extortion’
Some commentators accused property owners of chasing profit at the expense of struggling tenants.
@JMarufu37136 posted:
“Landlords and property owners are running amok with rental prices, while the Rent Board of Zimbabwe remains silent.
Buildings are meant to be long-term investments, but landlords are making a killing at the expense of citizens.”
Another user, @sokomkn, shared:
“Such a silly question! The country is in the doldrums in case u haven’t noticed. Nothing works!
As Tuku would sing ‘kubvunza mhopo, mhopo pamusana…’ [asking a foolish question gets you a foolish answer]”
@tcmadzi added a socio-economic dimension, writing:
“Zimbos can actually invest in businesses formally bcoz there is money I don’t know generated from where
but bcoz operations is not for black people they would rather get passive income from rentals instead of putting money into manufacturing etc.”
@Moyoservchi echoed the sentiment:
“It’s a big problem. Everything in Zim is overpriced. The bearer cheque mentality killed our thinking.”
Rent Board missing in action
While many expect regulatory intervention, critics say authorities have gone silent.
@JMarufu37136 remarked:
“Where is the Rent Board of Zimbabwe? Why are they quiet while landlords are milking citizens dry?”
As of 2 July 2025, there has been no official comment from the Rent Board of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Local Government, or the Bulawayo City Council.
@Zimbo_Factual broadened the issue, writing:
“It’s not only rentals. Property prices in Zimbabwe are just insane – and that includes cars.”
Whether exaggeration, desperation, or speculation, the Burnside rent listing has become a symbol of broader economic dysfunction in Zimbabwe — where supply, demand, and common sense no longer align.
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The post ‘Landlords Have Lost the Plot!’ – Outrage as Rentals Hit Absurd Highs Across Zimbabwe appeared first on iHarare News.
