Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Fanyakazi Housing Development Private Limited managing director and suspected land baron Getrude Bariri has appeared in court on allegations of defrauding unsuspecting home seekers of US$250 000 in botched stand deals.
Bariri was facing fraud charges when she appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Mr Musaiona Shortgame.
She was released on US$1 000 bail.
The complainant is Enhanced Mortgaging and Housing Private Limited, represented by Demetria Zirenga (54).
The court heard that during the period running from January 2024 to August 2025, Zirenga’s husband, Harrison Marange, who was the first director of the company, fell sick. This prevented the complainant and her late husband from attending to their company’s affairs for a whole year
It is alleged that Bariri hatched a plan to steal the instalments due to Enhanced Mortgaging Housing Private Limited. She was acting in connivance with her accomplice, Reviino Gwanzura, who is already on remand on this matter.
The duo took advantage of the directors’ absence and flighted an advert saying Enhanced Mortgaging Housing Private Limited had acquired residential stands through Bariri.
Enhanced Mortgaging housing clients responded to the advert and proceeded to the firm’s housing offices, where they were given the impression that the company was now working with Baririri and her company, Fanyakazi Housing Development.
The unsuspecting victims were then taken to Chiedza Park to see the said stands.
Gwanzura claimed Baririri, was also employed by the Ministry of Local Government, yet she was not and had no capacity to provide such residential stands.
Through this misrepresentation, 250 unsuspecting victims were instructed to pay US$250 each towards an allocation fee, and they all paid the money.
They were then allocated stand numbers and were shown an open ground where their supposed stands would be demarcated.
It is alleged that the complainant returned to work in March 2025, and the victims started approaching the company demanding their residential stands.
This is when the complainant discovered the offence after the victims produced receipts issued by Fanyakazi Housing Development.
The complainant conducted an internal audit using the collected receipts from the victims, which indicated that Bariri prejudiced the company of US$250 000.
