By Elvis Dumba
Banket – A local man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being convicted of forging official peri-urban land offer letters at Wigtown Farm, a case that has rocked the Banket farming community.
Isaac Mataramvura appeared before Magistrate Rumbidzai Chigodora at the Banket Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of forgery in contravention of Section 137 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The court heard that Mataramvura forged 14 offer letters in various names, purporting to be official permits for agricultural plots at Wigtown Farm near Banket.
According to state papers, he misled prospective land seekers by claiming that the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Marian Chombo, would soon be distributing peri-urban plots at the farm.
Acting on this false representation, Mataramvura invited desperate land seekers to secure permits for a fee of US$1 each. It is estimated that more than 300 people responded and paid for the forged documents.
Prosecutors revealed that Mataramvura forged a 2013 permit template, originally signed by an Acting District Administrator named Chitombo on behalf of then District Administrator Mr. Tizora.
He scanned and digitally altered these permits, inscribing names of unsuspecting buyers to make it appear as though they had been allocated plots back in 2013.
Between 30 June and 3 July 2025, Mataramvura generated and distributed forged permits for 30 individuals.
These documents were presented in court as evidence of his intent to mislead both the public and government officials.
The fraudulent scheme was uncovered when a purported list of “former” plot holders at Wigtown was submitted to the Provincial Lands Office. A verification process revealed discrepancies between the original 2013 register and the newly submitted names.
In sentencing, Magistrate Chigodora acknowledged Mataramvura’s early guilty plea and cooperation with the authorities.
Of the 15-month sentence, five months were suspended on condition of good behavior. The remaining 10 months were further suspended on the condition that Mataramvura completes 11 weeks of community service at Kuwadzana Primary School in Banket.
The case has drawn public attention to growing concerns over fraudulent land allocations and the vulnerability of land seekers desperate for agricultural opportunities.
About Author
