Land deal turns sour

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUCHENA man is demanding justice after accusing a local couple of reneging on a land deal because he befriended their rival.
The dispute came before Chief Mutasa’s community court recently, where Danai Mbavarira recounted how what he believed to be a straightforward land purchase in 2024 has spiralled into a bitter feud marked by shifting claims, accusations, and even allegations of witchcraft.
Mbavarira told the court that he bought a piece of land from Obvious Komani under what he understood to be a transparent and mutual agreement.
“I bought the land in 2024 from Obvious Komani. I paid him money for the land and for registration with the village head. However, they never took me to the village head as we had agreed,” he said.
Despite the lack of formal registration, Mbavarira said he was assured he could proceed with developments on the land.
Now, with the sellers backtracking, the case has become a flashpoint in the community, raising questions about trust, tradition, and the enforcement of local agreements.
“They told me that the registration money had already been used and I could go ahead with the construction. I trusted them because we had agreed, and there was no indication of any problem at that time,” said Mbavarira.
Mbavarira said things turned south when he engaged a neighbour to assist him with brick moulding.
“Last year, I brought in their neighbour to help me mould bricks because I wanted to build, and everything changed. They started complaining, saying that the man I had hired was a wizard who was causing illness in their family,” he said, dismissing the claims, insisting that he had full control over his property.
“I told them that the land now belonged to me and I could hire whoever I wanted. The person working on my land had nothing to do with their health. That is when they started saying I was wining and dining with their enemy,” he said.
Mbavarira said the tension quickly escalated, with the couple allegedly threatening to reverse the deal.
“They told me they would repossess the land and refund me because I had chosen to side with their sworn enemy. I realised that they were no longer acting in good faith,” he said.
He said he reported the matter to the local leadership in a bid to resolve the dispute.
“I went to the village head and explained everything. When he asked them if it was true, they admitted that they had threatened to repossess the land,” said Mbavarira.
However, he said the matter took another twist after the intervention of the community leaders.

“They later came back and said I was now their enemy, and should vacate the land. The issue was referred to Headman Muchena, but instead of resolving it, they changed their story again,” he said.
Mbavarira said the couple introduced a new claim that the land did not belong to them.
“They claimed that the land they had sold me belonged to their son. That was never mentioned when entered into the initial deal,” he said.
He said a compromise was suggested, but it did not resolve the issue.
“The headman said they should give me another piece of land, but what they offered me was much smaller. We agreed that they would refund me US$600 to cover the difference, but they are still to pay the money,” said Mbavarira.
Frustrated, Mbavarira said he was stopped from continuing with his project despite already investing in the land.
“I had built a toilet and laid the foundation for my house. I want to continue developing my land, but they are frustrating me. They have breached our agreement,” he said.
In response, Komani’s wife, who was only identified as Mbuya Komani, confirmed Mbavarira’s account, but accused him of contributing to the breakdown of relations between the two parties.
“This man was my son’s teacher at school, and that is how my husband decided to give him the land. We trusted him because of that relationship,” she said.
However, she claimed that things changed after her husband fell ill.
“My husband became sick, and Mbavarira told us that he had done rituals on the land. I was devastated because my husband is not well, and we did not know what to believe. We felt threatened,” she said.
Chief Mutasa criticised the couple for their dishonesty, and warned against changing agreements for personal gain.
“Do not commit crimes expecting sympathy. You are now shifting goalposts because you have found someone offering more money. Do not take advantage of other people’s desperation. If you sold the land, you must stand by your word,” said Chief Mutasa.
Chief Mutasa ruled in favour of Mbavarira, directing that he be allowed to continue developing the land he purchased.
“The man should continue developing the land he bought in 2024. If your son needs land, you must find another place for him,” he said.
He also gave the couple an alternative if they wished to reclaim the land.
“If you no longer want him on that land, you must refund him all his money by May 30, including what he has already spent on developments,” said Chief Mutasa.