US$151,000 Land Scam Lands Harare Duo in Court
A suspected land-selling syndicate allegedly operating in Harare’s lucrative property market has been dragged before the courts after several investors reportedly lost more than US$151 000 in disputed stand transactions.
Desmond Rutsito, 42, and Leeroy Manyange, 28, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa facing fraud charges stemming from three separate land deals that prosecutors say were built on false claims of ownership and authority.
Also Read: Freelance Estate Agent in Court Over US$75,000 Residential Stand Scam
Investors Allegedly Lured With Prime Land Offers
According to the State, the two men, working with Edgar Dzehonye and Pakamile Mabhena Moyo, who are still being sought by police, allegedly identified prospective buyers looking to acquire commercial property in Harare.
Investigators allege the group presented themselves as individuals capable of facilitating the sale of land belonging to local authorities and government institutions, convincing buyers that the transactions were legitimate.
The alleged scheme targeted both companies and private investors seeking commercial stands.
Largest Claim Linked to Southerton Property
One of the complainants, a real estate management company, is said to have entered into an agreement to acquire a commercial stand in Ardbennie, Southerton.
Prosecutors allege the buyers were furnished with paperwork suggesting the property could legally be transferred to them. Convinced the deal was genuine, the company reportedly paid US$76 000 over several months.
Questions arose only after inquiries were made with the City of Harare, where officials allegedly indicated that the accused had no authority to sell the land.
Businessman Loses Thousands in Two Separate Deals
The court also heard allegations involving businessman Munyaradzi Chikusvu, who reportedly entered into two separate property transactions with the accused.
In the first deal, Chikusvu allegedly paid US$35 000 towards the purchase of a commercial stand in Aspindale after being informed that the sellers were authorised to dispose of land belonging to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
In a separate transaction involving his company, Humnoth Investments, prosecutors say he paid a further US$50 000 for another commercial property after receiving documents purportedly linking the sale to the City of Harare.
Both transactions allegedly unravelled after independent verification of the properties’ status.
No Recoveries Made
The State alleges that the combined losses from the three transactions amount to US$151 000.
Police investigations led to the arrest of Rutsito and Manyange, while efforts are continuing to locate the two alleged accomplices.
Prosecutors told the court that none of the money allegedly lost by the complainants has been recovered.
The matter is still before the courts.
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