Stephen
Shamu
was
handed
the
sentence
by
the
Mutare
Magistrates’
Court
for
swindling
over
US$1,100
between
July
and
November
2025.
According
to
the
National
Prosecuting
Authority
(NPA),
Shamu
falsely
claimed
he
had
the
authority
to
sell
land
in
the
area.
The
first
victim,
seeking
a
rural
home,
was
shown
a
1-hectare
plot
in
the
Dora
area
and
introduced
to
a
supposed
witness.
She
paid
a
total
of
US$525,
covering
partial
payments,
“land
clearing”
fees,
village
head
registration,
and
a
receipt.
The
second
victim,
26,
paid
US$625
for
a
plot,
including
similar
fees
and
additional
payment
for
fencing
labour.
The
fraud
came
to
light
when
the
women
attempted
to
develop
their
plots
and
were
confronted
by
the
village
head,
who
informed
them
that
the
land
belonged
to
a
local
family
and
that
Shamu
had
no
legal
right
to
sell
it.
Shamu
was
arrested
by
the
Zimbabwe
Anti-Corruption
Commission
(ZACC)
and
sentenced
to
12
months,
six
of
which
were
suspended
on
condition
of
restitution.
The
NPA
said
the
case
serves
as
a
reminder
for
people
to
verify
land
ownership
before
making
payments
and
highlights
ongoing
efforts
by
authorities
to
tackle
fraud
in
rural
communities.