Zanu-PF band barons arrested

Two prominent Zanu-PF figures, Godhati Dunira (57) and Ephraim Gwanongodza (59), have been arrested over allegations of illegally parcelling and selling residential land in Victoria Ranch, Masvingo, in a scheme valued at around US$1 million.

The duo, credited as architects of Masvingo's largest and newest suburb, are facing fraud charges relating to land owned by ShinePlus Holdings, one of Zimbabwe's largest private landholders. Both have been held in remand since Thursday pending further investigations.

Authorities allege that Dunira and Gwanongodza, shareholders in Rajavik Investments, devised a plan in 2022 to defraud home seekers by selling 50 hectares allocated to ShinePlus by the Ministry of Local Government in 2019. They reportedly prepared a layout plan for the remaining Victoria Ranch plots, pegged residential and commercial stands, and began collecting payments ranging from US$2 000 to US$7 500 from clients.

The alleged scam came to light in September 2025, prompting a police investigation and their subsequent arrest. Bail has been denied as investigators suspect the total value of the land involved could exceed current estimates.

Both ShinePlus and Rajavik had previously appeared before the 2018 Commission of Inquiry into the sale of state land in and around urban areas, which recommended further investigation into their activities. Apart from a single conviction in Gweru, the findings of the Justice Tendai Uchena Report had largely been ignored by authorities, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa.