Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding property rights, pledging to take decisive action against bogus estate agents who prey on unsuspecting citizens.
The rise in demand for property across the country has seen an influx of bogus estate agents who are fleecing people of their hard-earned cash through shoddy deals.
An engagement of stakeholders in the estate agent sector held in Harare this Friday, brought to the fore the need for urgent action to weed out unscrupulous individuals.
“The law is very clear that if anyone wants to practice as an estate agent, they must have acquired the necessary training and experience. But, unfortunately, people have just been opening up offices and in the process defrauding members of the public.
“Here comes the problem that once convicted, the scale of fine as it exists at this moment in time in Zimbabwe is a paltry amount like $200. It is not determined enough to make sure that people don’t go back to their illegal practices. So we have been lobbying with the Ministry to have a review of the scale of fines. The level at which illegality is happening can actually be created to stop them,” said Estate Agents Council chairperson, Mr Nico Kuipa.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Honorable Ziyambi Ziyambi says government is committed to protecting property’s rights.
“The Government will remain steadfastly dedicated to empowering the Estate Agents Council and Estate Agents to fulfil their responsibilities efficiently. We will continue to collaborate closely to review and amend any legislative frameworks needed to foster a vibrant and responsive real estate sector that safeguards the public from unlawful and unregistered estate agents.
“In this regard, I can confirm that the Ministry is actively pursuing amendments to strengthen the Estate Agents Act, with a particular focus on improving its corporate governance structure. Nevertheless, it is important to stress that we expect absolute transparency and accountability, from all parties involved.
“Consequently, individuals involved in fraudulent practices, including bogus real estate agents, will face the long arm of the law. Let me reiterate that any attempts to undermine lawful enterprises in this sector will be strongly opposed, and violations thereof will be prosecuted without fear or favour,” said Minister Ziyambi.
The Minister said the Second Republic wants to see all processes of land and property sale and ownership being done transparently for the benefit of the citizenry and key to that is the facilitation for the issuance of title deeds to urban dwellers being done through his ministry.
Last year, government launched the Presidential Title Deeds and Regularisation Programme which has so far benefited hundreds of citizens.
The programme is expected to cascade to other parts of the country, with settlements being regularised to pave way for the issuance of title deeds to deserving communities.
