Harare Mayor Mafume Walks Free As ZACC Arrests Deputy In Million-Dollar Land Scandal

Harare Mayor Mafume Walks Free In Million-Dollar Land Scandal As Deputy Is Arrested

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume walked free late on Wednesday night after hours of questioning by anti-corruption investigators, even as his deputy and a former MP were arrested over a multi-million-dollar land deal that has rocked City Hall.

The dramatic developments unfolded on January 21, 2026, when Mafume was summoned by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over allegations linked to the sale of high-value housing stands in the capital’s Newlands suburb. By nightfall, the mayor was released without charge. His deputy, Councillor Rosemary Muronda, and former Harare South legislator Shadreck Mashayamombe were not as fortunate.

The case centres on land allegedly sold for as much as US$600,000 (about R11.1 million) in one transaction, with claims that a rival bidder later tabled an offer exceeding US$1 million (about R18.5 million).

Mafume Questioned For Six Hours

Mafume arrived at ZACC offices accompanied by his legal team and was questioned for close to six hours. After the grilling, his lawyers moved quickly to clarify his status.

Jeremiah Bamhu, speaking after the engagement, said investigators had not placed the mayor under arrest.

“It was just an interview to assist with their investigation,” Bamhu said.

“At the end of it, they said they were not pressing any charges and he was free to go.”

Another member of the defence team, Advocate Method Ndlovu, confirmed the duration of the interview.

“The interaction lasted just under six hours,” Ndlovu said.

“Our client cooperated fully with investigators.”

Photographs later circulated showing Mafume flanked by his lawyers as he left the premises on the night of January 21, 2026.

Deputy Mayor And Former MP Arrested

While Mafume walked out, ZACC confirmed arrests in the same probe elsewhere. In a brief statement issued late Wednesday, the commission announced action against Muronda and Mashayamombe.

“ZACC confirms the arrest of City of Harare deputy mayor, Councillor Rosemary Muronda, and former Harare South Member of Parliament, Shadreck Mashayamombe,” the commission said.

“The arrests are on allegations of fraud involving the fraudulent sale of council land. The two are expected to appear in court soon.”

The statement did not mention Mafume or suggest that charges against him were imminent.

It also did not spell out the specific roles Muronda and Mashayamombe are alleged to have played in the disputed transaction.

Disputed Newlands Land Deal

The investigation focuses on four residential stands in Newlands, one of Harare’s most sought-after suburbs. Details of the alleged deal emerged through reporting by ZimLive, which said a complainant paid US$600,000 (about R11.1 million) for the land, claiming the transaction involved Mafume.

Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that a rival bidder, described as a Chinese national, later offered more than US$1 million (about R18.5 million) for the same stands. The higher bid allegedly triggered an attempt to refund the initial buyer.

Suspicious of the sudden reversal, the complainant reported the matter to ZACC, setting the investigation in motion.

As of Wednesday night, investigators had not publicly outlined how the four stands were allocated, who authorised the transaction, or how council procedures were allegedly breached.

For now, the spotlight remains on City Hall, with one senior official free, two others in custody, and a land deal worth millions of US dollars under scrutiny.