By A Correspondent- Bogus estate agents in Bulawayo have auctioned the Minister of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Judith Ncube.

Minister Ncube told the state media that she was visited by people who had been sold her house by bogus estate agents.

“I once found six cars parked outside my house and the owners said they had been informed by an estate agent that my house was for sale, which was false.

” I implore members of the public to be careful about what they believe and who they pay for services. Let’s not get carried away by what we see on social media platforms but rather let’s stick to credible sources and platforms,” she said.

Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe (EACZ) chairman Mr Nicodimus Kuipa said the industry has been battling for some time now with bogus operators who call themselves accommodation agents and fleece members of the public.

He urged the public to keep a lookout for rogue elements and report them to authorities.

“The advent of social media though good, has come with its own challenges as anyone can advertise and market products and services without complying with professional registration requirements. Estate agents can advertise on any forum but need to be registered with the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe as long as they are marketing properties belonging to third parties. The law allows anyone to sell or lease out their own properties but this service is restricted to estate agents once it involves third parties.

“In general, properly trained and registered estate agents do not run accounts where people are invited to register and pay money for service to do with finding accommodation to buy or rent as agents are in most cases paid for such services by the property owners who mandate them.
Our industry has battled for some time now with bogus agents who are not registered with EACZ,” he said.

“Prospective tenants must not be charged anything as the agent receives payment from the lessor who mandates the agent with the instruction. The fees which agents charge for the various services they offer are legislated and guided by Statutory Instrument 89/2016 – Estate Agents (Professional Conduct) (Amendment) Rules.”

Mr Kuipa said it was important for the public to only deal with registered agents.

He said bogus agents can be easily identified as they do not have a current year compensation fund certificate (which should be displayed in the front office).