Former Ministers fingered in land theft

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

Ministers who served in the previous administration have been fingered for fuelling illegal settlements on council land with Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume saying the recently appointed Commission of Inquiry should do thorough investigations to fish out suspects.

Notable figures who have served the ministry of Local Government are Zanu PF’s Ignatius Chombo and Saviour Kasukuwere.

Chombo has now found his way back to Zanu PF while Kasukuwere is in self-imposed exile in South Africa.

Mafume’s warning comes as it emerged that most of the illegal settlements in Harare had what appear to be council authority but acquired fraudulently.

“Some of us are new to the council, and we can boldly say our hands are clean,” Mafume said.

 “But we have doubts that certain people’s hands are not clean including previous ministers, previous Mayors, previous technocrats and some council officials who gave land on wetlands,” he said.

It was not clear which Mayors Mafume referred to but the local authority has had four Mayors since last August’s elections.

“I will not bear anyone’s cross. People should carry their cross,” Mafume said.

He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Commission of Inquiry will cover all suspected cases of maladministration, alleged theft of land among other issues.

“The skeletons are in the cupboard for everyone,” Mafume said.

Last week, Mafume also issued a stern warning to land barons who are occupying council land for shops, schools, and clinics insisting they will face the wrath of the law.

“We cannot regularize settlements that do not meet our planning standards.”

Council recently demolished around 10 houses in the Hatcliffe Extension as they were built on land meant for other facilities.