Antony Chawagarira
Harare-A Mount Pleasant man allegedly lost US$870,000 in a suspected fraudulent land deal after reportedly being sold land using fake ownership documents, in a case that has once again exposed the growing risks associated with property transactions in Zimbabwe.
Sean Nyawo, 32, claims he was duped by Shepherd Chizani of Westgate, who allegedly misrepresented himself as a representative of Rupert Investment (Pvt) Ltd, the registered owners of Lot Number 40, Hatfield Estates. According to reports, the transaction began sometime in August last year when Chizani allegedly presented documents for the 5.7-acre property, registered under deeds transfer number 561/69.
Believing the documents to be genuine, Nyawo reportedly agreed to purchase the land. Nyawo allegedly paid an initial deposit of US$50,000 before making a second payment of US$630,000 on August 22 last year. A final payment of US$190,000 was reportedly made on September 24, bringing the total amount paid to US$870,000. The suspected scam reportedly came to light on March 18 this year when Nyawo visited the Hatfield property intending to begin physical developments on the land.
While at the site, he was allegedly approached by another man claiming to represent Rupert Investments. The representative reportedly produced original title deeds showing that the property had never been sold. It was at that point, according to reports, that Nyawo realised he may have been defrauded.
A police report was subsequently filed, and investigations reportedly established that the documents used during the transaction were fraudulent and that Chizani allegedly had no authority from Rupert Investments to sell the land.
The matter is now reportedly under investigation at Marlborough Police Station under reference number RRB 6780926.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not immediately be reached for comment.
The case has once again shone a spotlight on the increasing number of land-related fraud cases in Zimbabwe, where buyers are losing large sums of money through fake title deeds, forged powers of attorney, double sales and bogus property agents.
Property experts continue to urge prospective buyers to verify ownership documents with the Deeds Registry, local authorities and registered conveyancers before making any payments, amid concerns that sophisticated land fraud syndicates are targeting both local and diaspora investors.
