adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
POLICE in Bulawayo have warned property seekers to be wary of land barons and individuals masquerading as estate agents who are fleecing residents thousands of dollars through selling non-existent residential stands and houses. The police yesterday said they have noted with concern an increase in the number of residents who fall victim to the fraudulent estate agents.
Acting police spokesperson for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube, said the fake estate agents were offering unsuspecting members of the public “low-priced properties”.
“We’re receiving a lot of cases where people are being fleeced of their monies. More than two people are made to pay for the same stand by these dubious estate agents. They are made to pay amounts ranging from $400 to thousands of dollars for residential stands while others are ‘buying’ non-existent land,” he said.
Police said since The Chronicle broke the story in its August 3, edition of investigations around three businessmen and a lawyer suspected to be behind many cases of property fraud, they recorded many reports from residents who lost money to the bogus estate agents.
Asst Insp Ncube warned phantom property sellers to reform or risk being arrested.
“Their days are numbered. The law is closing in on them,” he said.
Asst Insp Ncube said property seekers should desist from taking shortcuts when buying residential stands as they risk falling victim to fraudsters.
“We have institutions that are responsible for selling land in the country. There is the Ministry of Lands and Rural Settlement and the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing, represented by local councils. Members of the public must engage these institutions instead of parting with their hard-earned cash by buying non-existent land from the land barons. People risk losing everything they would have worked for, if they don’t take heed of our call,” he said.
Asst Insp Ncube said it was easy to verify land bought through local authorities and the Ministry of Lands unlike buying it from unscrupulous individuals who may not provide title deeds.
He gave as an example the recent Willsgrove Farm evictions in Bulawayo that left more than 20 families homeless after their houses were demolished. Asst Insp Ncube said most of the affected people at Willsgrove Farm were property seekers who had been fleeced by land barons.
In Harare, hundreds of residents saw their properties being demolished after they were fleeced by land barons who sold them council property.
Last Sunday Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko warned the country’s land barons that they will be arrested.
Online Reporter