Former Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) board chairman, Basil Nyabadza, has filed an application for exception in a case where he is accused of defrauding former legislator Blessed Runesu Geza of US$1,362,000 in a disputed land transaction.
The case is being heard before Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande.
Represented by his lawyer, Tazorora Musarurwa, Nyabadza has argued that the allegations brought against him lack clarity and fail to disclose any actual or potential prejudice suffered by Geza. Musarurwa contended that the charges do not provide sufficient details to establish how Geza was defrauded, particularly since the land in question is owned by Nyabadza’s company, which legally retains the right to sell or dispose of it.
Nyabadza’s defense has further questioned the legitimacy of Geza’s ownership claims over the land, emphasizing that Nyabadza holds the registered title. Musarurwa pointed out that the state’s outline alleges that Geza was defrauded of US$1,362,000 but fails to explain when, how, or where this amount was ever transferred to Nyabadza.
According to the prosecution, represented by Anesu Chirenje, the dispute stems from a 2020 land sale agreement. On October 29, 2020, Geza reportedly purchased a 42.3504-hectare piece of land from Nyabadza for US$1,362,000. The agreement granted Geza sole authority to subdivide, develop, and sell the land.
The prosecution alleges that Nyabadza misrepresented to Geza that the land had valid title deeds, promising to provide them within a month of the sale. However, he allegedly failed to fulfill this promise.
While Geza was in the process of securing subdivision permits for the land from the Department of Physical Planning in Mashonaland West Province, he reportedly discovered that Nyabadza had already sold the same piece of land to another entity, Velda Estates. This discovery came as a shock to Geza, who sought an amicable resolution with Nyabadza. However, his agreement of sale was allegedly canceled without his knowledge.
Unable to resolve the matter, Geza filed a complaint with the police, leading to Nyabadza’s court summons.
Nyabadza has denied the charges, arguing that his company retained full rights to the land and that the state’s case lacks crucial details to substantiate the allegations. Magistrate Mazhande has deferred the matter to January 31, 2025, for a ruling on Nyabadza’s application for exception.
Geza is reported to have suffered financial prejudice of US$1,362,000, with no recovery of funds to date.