Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
Herald Reporter
POLICE have arrested three men for operating as unregistered estate agents and warned of a rise in fraudulent property schemes.
The suspects, identified as Don Garikai Budzi (32), Tafadzwa Leslie Mwedzi (38) and Mordecai Tigere (41) were arrested for violating Section 60 (a) (b) of the Estate Agents Act (Chapter 27:17). They appeared at the Harare Magistrate Court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody.
According to police, the trio advertised and sold residential properties and commercial stands without being registered with the Real Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe.
“The suspects had been advertising and selling both residential properties and commercial stands without fulfilling the necessary registration requirements,” said Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson for the ZRP’s Criminal Investigations Department.
“This poses a significant financial risk to potential customers.”
The arrests come as the ZRP raises alarm over an increasing number of fraudulent companies posing as legitimate real estate agents. These entities are defrauding citizens through fictitious property sales and unauthorised transactions.
Det Insp uteweri urged the public to exercise extreme caution.
“It is crucial to verify the registration status of agents and confirm property ownership before proceeding with any deals,” she stated. “Always be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.”
