ZACC arrests villager over alleged US$1,300 State land sale

By Southerton Business Times | Hwedza, Zimbabwe | August 9, 2026

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a Hwedza villager accused of illegally selling and allocating State land for US$1,300 in a case highlighting the growing crackdown on so-called “Sabhuku Deals”.

ZACC said Cephas Ndudzo was arrested after allegedly selling and allocating a portion of State land in Ndudzo Village, Hwedza Growth Point, to Courage Chemhere for US$1,300. According to the anti-corruption body, the alleged transaction took place between October 31 and November 16, 2025, without authorisation from the Hwedza Rural District Council.

Investigations allegedly established that the land belongs to the State and had been reserved for the future expansion of Hwedza Growth Point. Ndudzo appeared before the Hwedza Magistrates' Court and was remanded out of custody on free bail until August 12, 2026. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

What are Sabhuku Deals?

The case comes amid growing Government concern over informal land transactions commonly referred to as “Sabhuku Deals”. The term generally refers to situations in which village heads, intermediaries or land dealers allegedly sell or allocate communal or State land to home-seekers without the approvals and documentation required by law. The practice has reportedly become a concern in some rural and peri-urban communities, where demand for residential stands has created opportunities for unscrupulous land dealers to target people desperate to secure homes.

Authorities have repeatedly warned prospective home-builders against paying individuals for land without first verifying the property's ownership and obtaining the appropriate documentation. The Government has also warned that people who acquire land through unauthorised transactions can face eviction and may have difficulty recovering their money.

Traditional leaders cannot sell State land

The latest case has also renewed attention on the legal powers of traditional leaders in Zimbabwe's communal areas. While traditional leaders play an important role in administering customary matters and allocating land under applicable laws and customary systems, they do not have unrestricted authority to sell State land for personal financial gain.

Government authorities have urged prospective land buyers to deal with legally recognised institutions and verify land ownership and allocation documents before making payments. The Ministry of Lands and related authorities are responsible for formal land administration and documentation, depending on the category and location of the land.

Crackdown on illegal land sales

The arrest forms part of a broader crackdown on alleged illegal land sales and allocations across Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and Government authorities have previously warned against unauthorised land dealers who take advantage of home-seekers by selling land they have no legal authority to dispose of. The National Council of Chiefs has also called for action against traditional leaders involved in the illegal sale of communal land, arguing that communal land should not be treated as a commodity for personal enrichment.

ZACC's latest case serves as a warning to both alleged land dealers and prospective buyers that unauthorised land transactions can have serious legal and financial consequences. Authorities are encouraging home-seekers to verify the ownership and legal status of land before making payments. The allegations against Ndudzo will now be tested through the courts as the case proceeds.

Sabhuku Deals Zimbabwe

ZACC has arrested a Hwedza villager accused of selling State land for US$1,300 without approval from the local authority.