Three Arrested for Selling a Farm They Didn't Own

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

Three individuals who allegedly sold a farm that did not belong to them in Concession have been brought before the court.

Billy Marumba, 51, of Epworth and Dzingai Chipara, 50, of Plot 45, Mountview Farm, appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing fraud charges. Both were ordered to post US$100 bail.

According to the State, in January 2023, the complainant was in the market to purchase a farm. Marumba, a former employee of the complainant, introduced him to a man named Naboth Chamunorwa, who remains at large. Marumba convinced the complainant that Chamunorwa could help secure a farm.

Together, Chamunorwa, Marumba, and Chipara allegedly offered the complainant a farm in Concession for US$15,000, despite not owning it. After showing the complainant the farm, he made an initial deposit of US$3,000 to the accused.

It is further alleged that Chipara then took the complainant to an office at Makombe Building in Harare, giving the impression that an offer letter for the farm was being processed by the Ministry of Lands. Convinced, the complainant paid the remaining US$12,000 through Chamunorwa for the 250-hectare Chaddesley Farm in Concession.

However, after receiving full payment, the accused failed to provide the promised documents and became evasive. The complainant filed a police report on August 28, leading to the arrest of the accused on September 29 at their residence.

The complainant lost US$15,000, and none of the money has been recovered.