Mutare Land Fraud Leads NPAZ Crackdown: Sexual Assault, Theft & Drug Cases Also Convicted

Mutare, 5 March 2026 – Mutare Land baron Stephen Shamu (51) of Nyadongo Village under Chief Zimunya has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after he was convicted of fraud for deceiving two women into paying for land he had no right to sell.

The Mutare Magistrate’s Court heard that between July and November 2025, Shamu falsely claimed to have authority to sell plots in Bvirindi Village. The first victim paid US$525, while the second was defrauded of US$625, covering “land clearing,” “registration with the village head,” and fencing labour. The scheme unraveled when the victims tried to develop the land, only to learn from the village head that the plots belonged to a local family.

Shamu was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). His sentence included a suspended portion on condition of restitution.

This case is part of a broader crackdown by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), which continues to hold offenders accountable across the country:

Sexual offences:

• A 24-year-old woman in Mutare was jailed 15 years for aggravated indecent assault of a 14-year-old boy on 23 September 2025.
• In Gwanda, a 29-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years for attempted rape of his stepmother on 19 February 2026.

“Sexual abuse is a serious crime that leaves emotional and psychological scars,” NPAZ said.

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Theft & robbery:

• Valentine Takudzwa Kurira (25) of Highfields received 6 months for garage theft on 3 February 2026.
• Devine Humure (24) in Mutare got 20 years for stealing a motor vehicle and committing robbery on 26 October 2025.

Contempt & drugs:

• Mxolisi Ndlovu (50) of Bulawayo fined US$200 on 22 February 2026 for violating a peace order.
• Tatenda Gamanya (24) from Mt Darwin jailed 2 years 6 months on 19 January 2026 for possession of 16.47 grams of crystal meth and unregistered medicines.

“The NPAZ will leave no stone unturned in ensuring offenders face the full wrath of the law,” the authority emphasised.

These convictions underline the NPAZ’s ongoing commitment to combating crime and corruption, protecting public safety, and upholding justice.