Land barons defy govt
…bank on political muscle
KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI
Zanu PF affiliated land barons are wreaking havoc in Zvimba, Mashonaland West province where they are illegally parcelling out land belonging to a private developer, Pfugari Holdings using their political muscle.
The action is in sharp defiance of a Zanu PF and government position on land barons.
Land barons have been occupying school grounds and wetlands while causing severe damage to the environment.
A Chinese firm has also been caught in the fight with residents saying their operations, sanctioned by Zanu PF elements, was a threat to the environment.
Business Times reporters spoke to vendors operating in the area, who revealed that they have been paying weekly, daily, or monthly fees to Zanu PF members responsible for allocating the land.
“I don’t care who owns the property but I pay monthly to a Zanu PF youth [name withheld] who is responsible for allocating the land,” one of the vendors said this week.
These vendors operate in small booths selling a range of items.
Pfugari Holdings has attempted to fence the property after noticing an increase in invasions by named Zanu PF officials but in the process, a fight ensued and two workers were injured and hospitalised.
“I confirm that our workers were harassed, and some are in hospital because we were protecting our commercial stands. We reported the issue to the police,” Pfugari Holdings Managing Director Edward Nyanyiwa said.
Days later, a Business Times reporter was subjected to harassment and threats from the youths.
The youths revealed that they had been sent by “some big fish in the party” to occupy Pfugari Holdings property in Whitecliff claiming they had applied to the Ministry of Transport to use the land as buffer zones.
However, Pfugari Holdings development manager, Percy Chitima, stated that the company did not seek any permission and even took the issue to the Harare Magistrate’s Court on August 14th, where the ZANU-PF representatives did not show up.
In a letter dated October 13, 2022, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Engineer Theodius Chinyanga, wrote to the ZANU-PF party, referencing Tendai Chiwetu, stating that any damage to the property of the Ministry of Transport and Pfugari Holdings would be subject to repair. The letter also stated that the ministry did not give consent or approval to the ZANU-PF youths in Mashonaland West’s Simon Mazorodze District for their applications.
The youths went on to sell part of the land owned by Pfugari Holdings to a private Chinese company called China Quarry Minerals leading to various health hazards in the community, with residents complaining about the pollution.