Two suspected Harare land barons appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly swindling desperate home seekers and investors out of more than US$151 000 in a series of bogus land deals.
Desmond Rutsito (42) and Leeroy Manyange (28) appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa facing three counts of fraud arising from alleged fraudulent sales of commercial stands in Harare.
The State alleges that the pair, acting in connivance with Edgar Dzehonye and Pakamile Mabhena Moyo, who remain at large, orchestrated a land scam that targeted unsuspecting investors and property buyers.
According to court papers, the first complainant, Haider Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, represented by company manager Calisto Murambasvina, was allegedly approached by the accused in September 2024 and offered Stand Number 1585 Ardbennie in Southerton measuring 7 320 square metres.
The accused allegedly claimed they had authority to facilitate the acquisition of the property from the City of Harare and drafted a lease agreement to support the transaction.
Believing the deal to be genuine, the company allegedly paid US$76 000 in various instalments between November 2024 and January 2026.
ALSO READ: DYNAMOS COACH MANGOMBE SUSPENDED OVER SHOCK MATCH-FIXING, JUJU CLAIMS
However, investigations later revealed that the accused allegedly had no authority to sell the property. The complainant verified the ownership details with the City of Harare before reporting the matter to the police.
Nothing has been recovered.
In the second count, the court heard that the accused allegedly targeted businessman Munyaradzi Chikusvu in April 2025, offering him Stand Number 16628 Aspindale, measuring 17 851,92 square metres.
The pair allegedly claimed the land belonged to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and that they had authority to dispose of the property.
A lease agreement was allegedly prepared and presented to the complainant before the accused demanded a deposit of US$35 000.
After making payment, the complainant allegedly discovered that the transaction was fraudulent and reported the matter to the police.
Prosecutors say the entire amount remains unrecovered.
The third count relates to another transaction involving Humnoth Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a company involved in dairy farming.
The accused allegedly offered for sale the remainder of 331 Glenara and Glenroy in Harare and convinced company director Munyaradzi Chikusvu that they had authority to facilitate the acquisition of the land from the City of Harare.
Court papers allege that the complainant paid US$50 000 in various instalments after signing a lease agreement dated April 12, 2025.
Subsequent verification with the local authority allegedly established that the accused had no authority to sell the property.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the two accused persons.
The combined prejudice in the three cases amounts to US$151 000, with investigators indicating that no recoveries have been made.
Police investigations are continuing, while two alleged accomplices remain at large.
The accused are expected to return to court as the matter proceeds.
