Residents lose money to fake estate agents

Harare City Council has warned residents against fake land barons who are moving around selling undesignated pieces of land to  unsuspecting residents.

The culprits are reported to be selling the land strictly in United States Dollars which is contrary to the policy of the Council.

"Council is not selling housing land in Hatcliffe. All the adverts purporting that council has such a programme are false and a calculated way of fleecing money from residents. Council uses its waiting list allocation system to sell housing land. More so the said stands are being charged in US$. Council does not have such a policy." The Council said in a statement.

Council further revealed that their office has been received numerous visits and phone calls from residents who have been duped of their hard earned cash.

"The city kindly asks you to take notices posted on this page seriously. Our offices are inundated with calls and visits by residents fleeced of their hard earned money by land barons. This week there are reports that some individuals have been parceling out land on Crowborough Farm. The farm is not a residential estate. It is used for wastewater treatment and cattle grazing."

Furthermore the Council also warned residents from interacting with bogus agents who are moving around allocating trading spaces to traders. It urged traders to apply for trading spaces only through the formal district offices.

"Council is reliably informed that there are individuals moving around inviting members of the informal sector to register with them for allocation of trading spaces. We advise all members of the informal sector that registration and allocation of trading space is done at council district offices. Any such payments and promises by the individuals are tantamount to throwing money in a deep well. We advise all people interested in securing trading spaces to approach their district officers for assistance."