Man aged 43 a director of EDI Resources based in Borrowdale, Harare, has found himself at the center of a high-profile fraud case after allegedly duping a home-seeker out of US$65,500 in a bogus residential stand sale. The accused appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, where he faces charges of fraud for selling a property he had not legally acquired.
Presiding magistrate Ms. Ruth Moyo granted Mwanandimai US$100 bail, with strict conditions, and ordered him to return to court on June 24 for the next hearing in what has become one of the more talked-about land fraud cases in recent months.
According to the prosecution led by Mr. Takudzwa Jambawu, the complainant in the matter, Mr. Edwin Bako, was misled into purchasing a 1,000-square-meter residential stand in Mandara, Harare. The stand is part of subdivision number 124 Mandara Salisbury of Lot 5A and was reportedly valued at US$60,000 at the time of the transaction.
Court documents show that Mwanandimai had entered into a deal to purchase the same stand from its original owner, Mr. Zenzo Lusengo, in July 2023. The agreed terms required Mwanandimai to pay an upfront amount of US$15,000, with the remaining balance to be settled in four monthly instalments. An agreement of cession was signed between the two parties to formalize the transaction.
However, before completing the required payments and without receiving full legal rights to the property, Mwanandimai allegedly went on to resell the same stand to Bako in May 2024 for US$53,000. Bako, trusting that the deal was legitimate, made an initial payment of US$30,000 through his legal representative, Alex Mambosasa of Mambosasa Legal Practitioners. The remaining balance was due within a month, but because of delays and late payment penalties, Bako ultimately paid a total of US$60,000 for the stand.
Harare man in Court Over US$65,500 Land Fraud Scandal
Convinced that he was now the rightful owner, Bako moved forward with development plans. He took physical possession of the property, cleared the land of trees, drilled a 40-meter borehole, and submitted detailed building plans to the Harare City Council in preparation to build his home.
However, in January 2025, cracks began to emerge in the seemingly straightforward deal. Mwanandimai had failed to fulfill his payment obligations to Lusengo, who responded by terminating the agreement and reclaiming full ownership of the stand. Lusengo then refunded the US$15,000 deposit that had initially been paid by man Mwanandimai.
In March 2025, the situation escalated when Bako visited the site only to find that it had been taken over by another individual. This person claimed to have recently purchased the same stand directly from Lusengo, thereby casting serious doubt over Bako’s claim to the land. Realising he had been the victim of fraud, Bako promptly reported the matter to the police.
As it stands, Bako is facing a financial loss totaling US$65,500. This figure includes not only the US$60,000 paid for the land but also additional expenses related to land clearing, borehole drilling, and planning approvals. To date, none of the money has been recovered, and the matter has now entered the legal system as Bako seeks justice.
The incident has sparked renewed public concern over the prevalence of land fraud schemes, especially in high-demand residential areas like Mandara. Legal experts and property rights advocates have used the case to stress the importance of due diligence in real estate transactions. They recommend that all prospective buyers verify ownership status with the Deeds Registry, ensure that full title deeds are available, and work through reputable legal practitioners when handling property deals.
Authorities have reiterated calls for increased vigilance, urging members of the public to be cautious when dealing in real estate. They warn that failure to verify property ownership or blindly trusting cession agreements without confirmed title rights can lead to devastating financial and emotional consequences.
As the court proceedings unfold, many are closely following the outcome, hopeful that justice will be served and that the case may serve as a cautionary tale to prevent similar incidents in the future.
