- blames the rise on buyer’s ignorance, legal shortcuts, manipulation of systems
As land scams continue to plague the country’s property landscape, with victims losing thousands of pula to fraudulent sales and double-dealings, one of the local legal experts blames the rise on a mix of buyer ignorance, legal shortcuts, and cunning manipulation of tribal and land board systems.
This as land fraud remains rampant despite growing awareness and improved digital systems.
To highlight, Maun Police have so far this month alone already received 5 cases of fraudulent sale of plots with some scammers reportedly using social media to lure unsuspecting victims to pay them a certain amount in advance to finalise required paperwork for transferals.
Associate Attorney at Lecha & Associates, Munashe Maramba says while the introduction of systems like Land Administration Procedures, Capacity and Systems (LAPCAS) has made title searches easier, scammers still manage to take advantage of delays in processing and uninformed buyers.
“Purchasers must exercise due diligence. That means going in person to the Land Board and checking who the title holder is before signing anything.”
Common tactics, according to Maramba, include, double selling plots to multiple people while ownership is still pending transfer, pretending to hold title deeds and offering land via verbal agreements and urging quick payments without legal backing.
“The law is very clear—any transfer of land requires a deed of transfer prepared by a qualified conveyancer,” he stresses. “The moment someone tells you it’s verbal, that should scream scam.”
So why do people keep falling for it? “It’s often because they don’t consult lawyers,” he explains. “Yes, lawyers can be expensive, but their expertise protects you from losing more. Formal sale agreements and proper vetting of ownership save a lot of heartbreak.”
Maramba warns that skipping essential legal documents—like deeds of transfer and written contracts—leaves buyers vulnerable. In tribal land settings, where informal arrangements are common, the risks are even higher.
“The Land Board has a role to verify ownership during transfer, but if the land was already promised to someone else and not yet updated in the system, it can slip through,” he notes.
Victims of such scams can seek damages through civil court, and many are successful on a balance of probabilities. However, recovery of lost funds or land can take time and emotional toll.
So how can Batswana protect themselves? Maramba offers this advice: “Always consult an attorney. Ask questions. Never rely on verbal promises. And double-check with the Land Board or registry before paying anything.”
While Maramba is focused on corporate law, he acknowledges the Tribal Land Act was amended in 2018, offering room for stronger protections if fully enforced.
As land becomes scarcer and more valuable, the opportunity for fraud grows. But so does the need for public education and systemic vigilance and the message is simple: “Legal guidance is not optional—it is protection.” Efforts to get a comment from Tawana Land Board officials were not successful.
