Two Harare women have instituted legal proceedings against an alleged female land baron after reportedly losing more than US$4 500 in a fraudulent residential stands transaction, highlighting the growing risks facing prospective homeowners in Harare. The complainants, Evelyn Dera and Melody Mushapaidze from Glen View, lodged a formal report at Highfield Police Station, where the matter was recorded under reference number RRB 6926543.
The pair alleged that they were persuaded to purchase residential stands in the Lusaka area of Highfield by the suspect, who had been introduced to them through her daughter-in-law.
"We trusted her because she had been recommended by her own son's wife, and we believed everything was genuine," Dera said.
According to the complainants, each initially paid a US$100 commitment fee before making an initial instalment of US$800 towards the purchase of the stands.
The seller allegedly quoted US$5 000 per stand before reducing the price to US$3 500, a discount that encouraged the women to continue making payments.
They claim they ultimately lost more than US$4 500. The alleged fraud came to light when the women attempted to take possession of the stands, only to discover that the land had already been allocated to and developed by other occupants.
Instead of refunding the money or providing the agreed stands, the accused allegedly offered alternative plots at different locations — promises that never materialised.
"Whenever we questioned her about the stands we had paid for, she would tell us she had found other stands for us and asked us to be patient. Every time we were promised another site, nothing materialised," Dera said.
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The complainants alleged that the suspect later became evasive, prompting them to report the matter to the police and institute legal action.
They are seeking either the allocation of legitimate residential stands or a full refund of the money they paid.
The case adds to a growing number of disputes involving alleged land barons accused of exploiting desperate home seekers amid Harare's acute housing shortage. In recent years, the government has intensified its crackdown on illegal land dealers accused of subdividing and selling state, municipal, and privately owned land without approved layouts, title deeds, or the necessary planning approvals.
Authorities have repeatedly urged prospective buyers to verify land ownership, subdivision permits, and development approvals with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, local authorities, and the Deeds Registry before making any payments.
The government has vowed to prosecute land barons, describing them as criminals who undermine orderly urban planning, fuel the proliferation of illegal settlements, and expose unsuspecting home seekers to significant financial losses.
Several illegal housing developments around Harare have already been earmarked for demolition or regularisation after investigations revealed that the land had been allocated without the requisite approvals.
Police investigations into the alleged scam are continuing. Efforts to obtain a comment from the accused were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
