Masvingo Land Developers Gwanongodza and Dunira Arrested on Fraud Charges

Masvingo land developers Ephraim Gwanongodza and Godhati Dunira were arrested for allegedly defrauding home seekers of about US$1 million through illegal land sales at Victoria Ranch (image source)

Two prominent Masvingo land developers, Ephraim Gwanongodza (59) and Godhati Dunira (57), were arrested late September and charged with alleged large-scale fraud after police say the pair sold residential and commercial stands on land belonging to ShinePlus Holdings without lawful title, sparking a high-profile investigation that has gripped the provincial capital.

Prosecutors allege Gwanongodza and Dunira, through their company Ravajik Investments (also referenced as Rajavik), prepared a layout for the Remainder of Victoria Ranch and marketed some 70 residential and 25 commercial stands to buyers, collecting payments reportedly ranging from US$2,000 to US$7,500 per stand — transactions the police say amount to roughly US$1 million and constituted an illegal parceling of ShinePlus-owned land.

After spending several days in remand, the two appeared before Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura and were granted bail of US$200 each under strict conditions, including regular reporting to Masvingo Central Police Station and prohibitions on interfering with witnesses, as the matter was remanded to allow further investigations and preparation for trial.

Investigators from Harare CID were reported to have taken control of aspects of the probe amid concerns that local police in Masvingo might be subject to undue influence given the suspects’ standing. Prosecutors argued against bail on the basis that the accused might tamper with evidence or witnesses if released.

The arrests have revived scrutiny of long-running allegations about land grabbing and irregular disposals in Masvingo, issues flagged previously before the Justice Tendai Uchena Commission of Inquiry into the sale of State land. Critics say the case illustrates persistent governance gaps in land administration that leave prospective home seekers vulnerable to scams.

The accused were remanded to return to court on scheduled dates for further hearings while police continue to trace victims and recover transaction records. If the prosecution proves the alleged fraud, convictions could trigger restitution orders and heightened enforcement against informal land-sale syndicates across the province.