Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A 36-year-old Harare woman has appeared in court facing fraud charges after she allegedly duped a land seeker based in the United Kingdom out of US$12,900 in a bogus land allocation scheme.
Linda Chigwengwendere appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo on allegations of fraud.
She was remanded in custody to July 30 for a bail application.
The State alleges that sometime in 2025, the complainant Hope Maumbe met one Juliet Vera during a flight to Kenya, where they discussed, among other issues, acquiring land in Zimbabwe.
Vera allegedly claimed that she had connections that could facilitate the land application process and later referred Maumbe to Chigwengwendere, whom she allegedly introduced as her sister with links to officials responsible for land allocations.
The court heard that Chigwengwendere allegedly assured Maumbe that she was engaging relevant officials to secure a piece of land in Karoi.
Between February and November 2025, Chigwengwendere allegedly demanded various payments ranging from US$20 to US$900, claiming the money was needed for application fees, travel expenses and other costs associated with processing the land allocation.
The State alleges that Maumbe transferred the money to Chigwengwendere through WorldRemit, with records of the transactions expected to be produced as evidence.
In August 2025, Chigwengwendere allegedly informed Maumbe that a farm in Karoi had been allocated and allegedly provided what she claimed was an offer letter.
Prosecutors further allege that she later demanded an additional US$2,000, threatening that the farm would be sold to another prospective buyer if the payment was not made.
It is alleged that communication between the parties eventually ceased, prompting the complainant to realise he had been deceived and report the matter to the police.
Maumbe allegedly lost US$12,900, and nothing has been recovered.
