A notorious couple, Florence (née Behane) Pambukani and Felix Pambukani, who had previously been convicted and imprisoned for fraud, have once again found themselves at the center of a fraudulent land scheme. This time, they are accused of deceiving desperate home seekers at Crowhill Farm in Harare, leading them to part with their hard-earned money under false pretenses.
The Pambukanis allegedly posed as the legal owners of land belonging to Crowhill Private Limited, causing significant distress to many unsuspecting individuals. The disputed property, known as Chirika Extension of Borrowdale Estate, spans over 121 hectares and is legally held under a transfer deed.
Despite a High Court order issued in 2021, which was later confirmed by the Supreme Court, barring the Pambukanis from selling the land, the couple continued their fraudulent activities. Court documents show that the High Court had also ordered the eviction of all illegal occupants, but those who had purchased land from the Pambukanis resisted the eviction order, leading to a standoff.
In an effort to address the issue, Crowhill Farm issued letters to the affected individuals, inviting them to regularize their status or face eviction. However, the Pambukanis’ deceptive actions have left many in a precarious situation, having lost substantial sums of money in the process.
A legal occupant of Crowhill Farm recalled the Pambukanis’ past criminal activities, stating, “I know the Pambukanis from their previous conviction for defrauding Lonrho Zimbabwe. They served eight years in prison. After their release, they came to Acorn Farm seeking a stand, and we helped them.”
The resident also revealed the couple’s attempts to gain leadership within the Acorn Farm community, saying, “In 2017, Florence tried to contest the leadership elections for Acorn Farm, but we barred her due to her criminal record. She later secretly worked with Dr. Msipa to form the Acorn Township Developing Association, but it was a scheme for them to profit.”
The Pambukanis reportedly own a small stand, a mere fraction of the Cleverhill Estate, far from where they are allegedly selling and leasing property to unsuspecting individuals. Their rightful stand, number 720, is clearly marked on the map, and they have no claim over the lands they are attempting to sell.
Attempts to contact the Pambukanis for comment were unsuccessful, as their phones were unreachable at the time of publication. However, the couple has been previously linked to other fraudulent activities, including a violent takeover of Wakefield Farm in Selous Area 5. The couple reportedly hired armed thugs to evict workers from the farm, resulting in several injuries and prompting the local community to seek medical treatment at Chegutu Hospital.
This latest scandal adds to the Pambukanis’ growing list of accusations, including their involvement in the illegal takeover of Scotsdale Farm in 2008, which led to the tragic death of its rightful owner, Kobus Joubert, in 2010. The farm workers were also displaced, left homeless after years of employment.
The Pambukanis’ actions highlight a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior and deception, further underscoring the need for vigilance in protecting citizens from fraudulent schemes targeting land seekers and other vulnerable groups.
