HARARE- Two suspected fraudsters, Martin Harry and Wilbert Kahari, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday accused of defrauding a man of US$10,000 in a fake land deal involving a farming plot in Marondera. The case, presided over by Magistrate Rufaro Panavanhu, has been remanded to today for a formal bail application.
The two men are alleged to have posed as Ministry of Lands officials, offering to sell land which later turned out to be unsuitable for farming and already under another individual’s legal ownership. Their elaborate deception has not only cost the victim a substantial amount of money but has also highlighted the growing threat of land fraud syndicates operating in Zimbabwe.
According to court papers, the complainant, Moses Safarawo, was hoping to surprise his father, Gumisai Muzamhindo, with a special retirement gift in May 2025. Muzamhindo, who had long nurtured a desire to pursue farming in his later years, became the inspiration behind Safarawo’s search for arable land.
His inquiries eventually led him to an agent, Bothwell Mutonyora, who introduced him to one of the accused, Martin Harry. Harry allegedly claimed to have insider access to land allocations through his purported links within the Ministry of Lands. He offered Safarawo a seemingly attractive deal—an 18.4-hectare piece of land at Chidodzo Farm in Marondera, for a price of US$10,000.
Believing the offer to be legitimate and fearing he might lose the opportunity, Safarawo quickly mobilised the funds. On May 1, 2025, he borrowed US$4,900 from his uncle, Mbano Takesure, to supplement his savings. Confident in the transaction, Safarawo arranged to meet Harry in person to complete the purchase.
Harare man duped in botched Marondera farm deal
On June 3, 2025, the two met at Newlands Shopping Centre in Harare, where Safarawo handed over the full US$10,000 in cash. A formal agreement of sale was signed on the spot, and Harry provided what appeared to be an official government-issued offer letter. At face value, the paperwork looked legitimate, giving Safarawo no immediate reason to suspect foul play.
However, the dream began to unravel weeks later. On July 11, while reviewing the documents, uncle Mbano noticed inconsistencies in the wording and formatting of the offer letter. Suspicious, he advised his nephew that they should physically inspect the land and verify the documents at the Ministry of Lands.
The two travelled to Marondera and visited Chidodzo Farm, only to find that the land in question was located along the Feruka Pipeline, a protected zone where farming is prohibited due to safety and environmental concerns. Worse still, the land was already allocated to another farmer, rendering Safarawo’s claim null and void.
Disturbed by the discovery, they proceeded to the Ministry of Lands offices in Marondera, where officials confirmed their worst fears—the offer letter was a forgery, and no such allocation had ever been made in Safarawo’s name.
In the days that followed, Safarawo attempted to contact Harry for clarity, but the accused became evasive, ignoring calls and messages. Sensing that he had been deliberately misled, Safarawo filed a police report.
Police investigations led to the arrest of Martin Harry, who, during questioning, implicated Wilbert Kahari as a co-conspirator. He also named two other individuals involved in the scam: Ishmael Kwaramba and a man known as either Taku Chitepo or Taku Mutasa. The latter two are still at large, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend them.
The State alleges that the suspects were part of a broader criminal enterprise targeting individuals interested in acquiring land. Using fake credentials and forged documents, they are believed to have orchestrated multiple fraudulent sales to unsuspecting buyers.
In opposing bail, the prosecution argued that the accused had demonstrated a capacity to deceive and evade justice. They also raised concerns that the suspects might interfere with ongoing investigations or attempt to flee the jurisdiction, especially since two of their accomplices remain on the run.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged members of the public to exercise caution when entering into land transactions. Prospective buyers are advised to verify all land documents directly with the Ministry of Lands and to avoid cash deals conducted outside official government offices.
Speaking after the court session, Safarawo expressed disappointment and frustration. “I just wanted to do something meaningful for my father. I had no idea these people were criminals. They looked professional and had all the right documents,” he said.
His uncle, Mbano, added: “It’s heartbreaking to see someone lose hard-earned money this way. We hope justice will be served and these fraudsters will be held accountable.”
As the case continues, it has reignited public debate about the ease with which fake land deals are orchestrated, and the need for tighter regulation and public education around land ownership verification processes in Zimbabwe.
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