Two Masvingo land developers and businessmen, Godfrey Dunira (57) and Ephraim Gwanongodza (59), have been remanded in custody to Thursday October 2, 2025 for a bail ruling after their application was heard before Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura. The two are facing fraud charges for allegedly orchestrating a land scam by selling residential and business stands on a piece of land known as the Remainder of Victoria Ranch.
The state, led by prosecutor Innocent Mudzingwa, opposed the bail application during a hearing that dragged for almost two hours. The defence lawyer argued that the duo were of fixed abode and had been cooperating with the police since the beginning of the investigation, which meant they deserved bail. However, the state maintained its opposition, arguing that the accused were likely to interfere with witnesses if released.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court adjourned and Magistrate Bepura later made the decision to postpone the case to Thursday for his ruling on the bail application.
The court heard that the accused are shareholders of Ravajik Investments Private Limited, a company they formed in 2005. While Ravajik was allocated part of LOT A of Victoria Ranch for development, the complainant in this case, ShinePlus Holdings, was allocated 50 hectares of the adjacent Remainder of Victoria Ranch by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing in 2019. ShinePlus is represented by its Managing Director, Charles Junior Mushinga (39).
According to court papers seen by TellZim News, the accused persons sold stands to home seekers. They allegedly prepared a layout plan for the Remainder of Victoria Ranch, the land legally owned by ShinePlus and began pegging and selling stands. Payments ranging from US$2,000 to US$7,500 totaling US$1 million, were collected from various stand buyers.
The matter came to light in September 2025 when Shineplus visited the area and discovered structures on the piece of land. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the two.
