Suspected land baron in US$250k scam

A suspected land baron has appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly duping hundreds of aspiring homeowners out of approximately US$250,000 through a purported residential stands scheme.

Gertrude Bariri appeared before Harare regional magistrate Musaiona Shortgame, who granted her bail of US$1,000.

The complainant in the matter is Enhanced Mortgaging and Housing (Private) Limited, represented by Demetria Zirenga.

According to the State, the alleged offences occurred between January 2024 and August 2025 when Zirenga and her late husband, Harrison Marange, who was the company's first director, were largely absent from the business due to Marange's illness.

Prosecutors allege that Bariri, acting in connivance with Revino Gwanzura, who is already on remand in connection with the matter, exploited the directors' absence to carry out a fraudulent scheme.

The State alleges that the pair advertised that Enhanced Mortgaging and Housing had partnered with Bariri in a residential stands development project despite allegedly knowing that no such residential stands existed.

Prospective home seekers reportedly responded to the advertisements and were informed that the property company was working with Bariri on the housing project.

The court heard that approximately 250 individuals were allegedly instructed to pay US$250 each as allocation fees. After making the payments, the victims were reportedly issued with stand numbers and taken to view undeveloped land purported to be the residential stands they had acquired.

The alleged scheme came to light after Zirenga returned to work in March 2025 and was approached by numerous individuals demanding allocation of residential stands they believed had been purchased through the company.

Investigations allegedly revealed that the receipts held by the victims had not been issued by Enhanced Mortgaging and Housing but by Bariri's company, Fanyakazi.

The complainant subsequently conducted an internal audit using receipts provided by the alleged victims. The audit reportedly indicated that approximately US$250,000 had been collected through the scheme, prejudicing both the company and the prospective homeowners.

Bariri was remanded on bail pending further court proceedings.

The case adds to a growing number of disputes involving alleged fraudulent land and housing schemes, which authorities say continue to target Zimbabweans seeking affordable residential property opportunities.