Three property transactions involving commercial stands in Harare allegedly turned out to be elaborate scams, leaving prospective investors with losses of more than US$151,000.
Prosecutors allege that between September 2024 and April 2025, Desmond Rutsito, 42, and Leeroy Manyange, 28, worked with two City of Harare officials, Edgar Dzehonye and Pakamile Mabhena Moyo, who are still being sought by police, to fraudulently sell land they had no authority to dispose of.
The first alleged scam involved Haider Enterprises (Private) Limited, represented by manager Calisto Murambasvina. The company was allegedly offered Stand 1585 Ardbennie in Southerton, measuring 7,320 square metres, after being told the sellers had authority to secure the land from the City of Harare.
To support the claim, the suspects allegedly produced a lease agreement. Trusting the documents, the company paid US$76,000 in instalments between November 2024 and January 2026.
The alleged fraud only came to light after inquiries with the City of Harare established that the land had not been lawfully sold and that the accused had no authority to transact on behalf of the council. The money has not been recovered.
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In another alleged deal, businessman Munyaradzi Chikusvu was offered Stand 16628 in Aspindale, measuring 17,851.92 square metres. Prosecutors say he was told the land belonged to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and that the suspects were authorised to sell it.
A lease agreement dated April 28, 2025, was allegedly prepared before Chikusvu paid a US$35,000 deposit. He later discovered the transaction was allegedly fraudulent and reported the matter to police.
The third transaction involved Humnath Investments (Private) Limited, also represented by Murambasvina. The company was allegedly offered the remainder of 331 Glenara and Glenroy, measuring about 4,384 square metres, after being assured the sellers could facilitate its acquisition from the City of Harare.
A lease agreement dated April 12, 2025, was allegedly prepared and the company paid US$50,000 as part payment. Investigations later indicated the suspects had no authority to sell the property, and the funds remain unrecovered.
Authorities say the three transactions resulted in a combined alleged prejudice of US$151,000.
The two suspects have since been charged with three counts of fraud. The matter has been postponed to July 30, 2026, while investigations continue.
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