HURUNGWE, Jun. 11 (NewsDay Live) — Hurungwe Rural District Council has warned residents against a land scam after unknown individuals began illegally selling and pegging residential stands in communal and resettlement areas across the district.
In a notice issued under Resolution 1196 of 2026, the council said land near Rural Service Centres and Business Centres was being subdivided and sold in violation of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12) and approved development plans.
“Council warns that anyone who purchases such stands risks losing money. The areas are not zoned for residential use,” the statement said.
The warning comes as demand for land grows in rural Zimbabwe, with land barons increasingly targeting communal areas and agricultural land.
Under the Criminal Penalties Amendment Act No. 22 of 2001, offenders face fines of up to Level 7 or six months in prison for developing land without approval.
A council official said unsuspecting buyers often bear the consequences.
“These people are selling land that is not designated for housing. When authorities demolish illegal structures, it is the poor who suffer,” the official said.
The council urged residents to report suspected illegal land sales to council offices or the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
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Officials said unplanned settlements threaten agricultural land, undermine development planning and could deepen rural poverty.
