The High Court ordered Brickstone Builders and Contractors off land in Harare's Ridgeview, Belvedere area within seven days on June 4, 2025. Justice Regis Dembure delivered the verdict in the city's capital after a protracted saga. The reason? Fake government papers and illegal construction that cost 45 families their homes and life savings.
The court ruling ended a two-year saga that began with forged letters from the Ministry of Local Government. Brickstone used these fake documents to sell residential stands worth over US$1.3 million to unsuspecting buyers. When the truth came out, bulldozers demolished dozens of homes that families had built with their dreams and sweat.
Imagine saving for years to buy your first home. You find what seems like the perfect stand. You pay your hard-earned money. You start building. Then one morning, bulldozers arrive and tear everything down.
This nightmare became reality for these 45 families. Their story shows why taking shortcuts in property deals can destroy lives.
Brickstone Builders' Fake Promise
In 2023, Brickstone Builders and Contractors told families they could buy stands for sale in Zimbabwe in Ridgeview Belvedere. The company claimed they had permission from the government to develop 14.4 hectares of land.
Brickstone showed buyers an official-looking letter from the Ministry of Local Government. The letter seemed to give them the right to sell stands in Zimbabwe. Families paid between US$25,000 and US$40,000 for each stand.
But there was one big problem. The letter was fake.
The City of Harare quickly discovered the truth. City officials checked their records. They found no valid lease or council approval for Brickstone. Under Section 152(2) of the City of Harare Act, all land development needs proper council permission.
Brickstone had none of this. They were building illegally on land they didn't own.
When Dreams Turned to Rubble
By July 2023, families like the Nhikis had already started building their homes. They trusted Brickstone's promises. They hired builders. They bought materials. Some families had almost finished their houses.
Then the bulldozers came.
Harare City Council demolished 52 illegal structures. About thirty homes that were nearly complete came crashing down. Families watched years of savings disappear in hours.
Some people had already moved into their new homes. They had set up kitchens. They had made bedrooms for their children. Now they had nothing—no roof over their heads and no money left.
The High Court Steps In
In June 2025, Justice Regis Dembure made the final ruling. He ordered Brickstone to leave the land within seven days. The judge was clear: "The defendant had no lawful right, express, implied, or otherwise, to occupy or carry out any developments on the land."
The court found that Brickstone never had proper ownership papers. They never got a council resolution. They never secured a valid lease. Everything they built was illegal from the start.
Justice Dembure also criticized Brickstone's lawyers. They couldn't prove their client had any right to the land. When city witnesses testified, Brickstone's team stayed silent. They had no evidence to fight back.
The Fake Papers That Fooled Everyone
The heart of this scandal was one forged document. Brickstone created a fake letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. They used this letter to convince families that buying Harare property from them was safe.
When the City Council checked with the Ministry, the truth came out. Chief Director Mr. Mushamba and a person named "Mr. Madzivire" both said they never signed the letter. The document that gave families hope was completely fake.
This false letter destroyed lives. Families believed they were buying legal stands for sale in Zimbabwe. Instead, they were paying for land that would be taken away.
Directors Face Justice
In September 2024, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers arrested Brickstone's directors. Lilian Chitanga (52) and Spencer Mabheka (45) now face fraud and forgery charges.
Police say they forged multiple documents. These included fake offer letters dated April 20, 2021, and April 22, 2021, from the Ministry. They also allegedly created a false letter dated December 15, 2015, from the City of Harare Housing Director.
Using these fake papers, they sold 52 stands to 45 buyers. Each family paid thousands of dollars for what they thought were legal properties. Instead, they got demolished dreams.
Both directors were granted bail of US$300 each. Their trial continues. If convicted, they face serious prison time.
The Real Cost of Shortcuts
When people try to cheat the system, innocent families pay the price. The Brickstone scandal shows what happens when shortcuts replace proper procedures.
These 45 families didn't just lose money. They lost hope. Parents who saved for years to give their children a home now face uncertainty. Instead of building for the future, they must start over with nothing.
Some families had already sold their old homes to pay for the new ones. Others had borrowed money they couldn't afford to lose. The emotional damage goes far beyond the financial loss.
How to Protect Yourself
The Brickstone tragedy teaches important lessons for anyone looking to buy property in Zimbabwe.
Always verify ownership papers. Before paying for any house to buy in Harare, check that all documents are real. Call the City of Harare directly. Visit the council offices. One phone call can save years of heartache.
Work with registered professionals. Use only registered estate agents in Zimbabwe who follow the law. You can find them on Propertybook. These agents verify title deeds and ownership before any sale. They protect buyers from fake documents and illegal deals.
Check council records. Make sure any property has proper council approval. All legal developments need valid permits and council resolutions. Don't trust just what sellers tell you.
Get legal advice. Have a lawyer review all documents before you sign anything. This small cost upfront can prevent huge losses later.
The Importance of Legitimate Property Channels
The Brickstone scandal highlights why using legitimate property agents in Harare matters so much. Registered real estate agents in Zimbabwe follow strict rules. They verify all documentation. They ensure every property they sell has proper title deeds and council approval.
When you work with legitimate agents, you get protection that shortcuts can't provide. These professionals understand the law. They know how to spot fake documents. They ensure every transaction follows proper procedures.
Moving Forward
The families affected by this scandal need support. They deserve temporary shelter, legal advice, and help getting their money back. Their suffering reminds us why following the rules matters.
This story should be a warning to everyone in Zimbabwe's property market. Builders, sellers, and buyers must all commit to honesty. When people lie and break rules, it's ordinary families who lose everything.
Conclusion
The Brickstone Belvedere scandal proves that shortcuts in property deals destroy lives. When companies forge documents and ignore the law, innocent families suffer most.
Forty-five families lost their homes because one company chose profit over honesty. Their demolished dreams serve as a powerful reminder: there are no safe shortcuts in property ownership.
The courts have spoken. Justice Dembure evicted Brickstone, and the directors face fraud charges. But nothing can fully undo the pain these families endured.
Let this tragedy be a call for integrity. Buyers must verify all documents. Sellers must follow the law. Registered estate agents in Zimbabwe must continue protecting their clients through proper procedures.
If we all choose honesty over shortcuts, we can prevent more families from losing everything to fraudulent schemes. The dream of homeownership should build futures, not destroy them.
When looking for legitimate Harare property opportunities, always work with verified professionals listed on Propertybook who can confirm proper ownership papers and title deeds. Your family's future depends on making the right choice.
