Victims of a fraudulent land scheme at Crowhill Farm are urging the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to take immediate action against Florence and Felix Pambukani. The couple is accused of defrauding buyers through illegal land sales.
The scam was exposed when it was discovered that the Pambukanis were selling land they did not own. Despite court orders to vacate, they continue to deceive buyers with fake court rulings and urgent applications.
Around 200 people have contacted reporter Courage Chabvongodza to voice their grievances, and complaints have been filed with ZACC. Many victims, including those from the diaspora, demand justice and a refund. One victim expressed frustration: “We are tired of their tricks; we need our money back.” Another voiced fear: “I know their history of hiring thugs to attack people; I don’t know what to do; I have nowhere to go.”
The Pambukanis are also accused of forcibly evicting farmers. Last year, they reportedly hired thugs to attack workers at Wakefield Farm, which they attempted to seize. In 2008, they illegally took over Scotsdale Farm, resulting in the death of its owner in 2010 and the displacement of all farm workers.
Attempts to contact the Pambukanis for comment were unsuccessful.
There are strong calls for ZACC to conduct a thorough investigation and for the ZRP to swiftly stop the couple’s illegal activities to prevent further victimization.
Previously convicted and jailed for fraud, the Pambukanis withdrew their High Court suit seeking to stop the eviction of illegal settlers at Crowhill Estate in Borrowdale, following a 2021 High Court eviction order. Their attempt to block the enforcement by the Sheriff of the High Court was dismissed since urgent applications cannot address past events.
The High and Supreme Courts have prohibited the Pambukanis from selling land at Crowhill Estate. Timon Tabana, the lawyer for the estate’s legal owners, confirmed the withdrawal of their case.
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“They filed an urgent application on May 11 to set aside the writ of execution, but it was removed from the roll of urgent matters because it had been overtaken by events,” he said. “They attempted another application to interdict the Sheriff but withdrew it at the hearing since a court cannot interdict a past event.”
Despite court orders, the Pambukanis resumed illegal activities at Crowhill Estate, posing as legitimate landowners and deceiving buyers. The estate is legally owned by Crowhill Private Limited.
The 2021 High Court order to evict all illegal occupants remains unheeded, as misled buyers resist eviction. Crowhill Pvt Ltd has tried to resolve the issue by inviting affected individuals to regularize their land status or face eviction, but the couple’s continued actions have left many in financial distress.
