Harare, Zimbabwe | In what appears to be the tip of a much larger scandal, Harare residents are losing properties and land through an elaborate scheme involving corrupt city council officials.
The latest incident, centered in Mabvuku, has seen four residents forcibly displaced from their land despite holding valid lease agreements and being up-to-date on their council payments.
A coordinated scheme on Stand 46 Marembo Street, Mabvuku has left longtime residents, including Mr. Mofolo Makasa and Mrs. Maggie Mazonde, fighting for their land. The victims have valid leases dating back to 1992, but this has not stopped corrupt officials from allocating the property to other individuals for personal gain.
Despite their payments being up-to-date, residents are being pressured to vacate the land. In one instance, Mr. Makasa was informed at Mabvuku offices that his account had been closed. However, a transaction processed at the city center’s Augustinho Neto Avenue offices was accepted, raising questions about deliberate internal manipulation.
A site visit on Tuesday revealed unauthorized construction activities, with individuals building structures and digging foundations on the disputed land. The hedge and gate surrounding the property were destroyed, and one of the structures under construction encroached on two stands, disrupting existing boundary pegs.
Harare City Council Region 5 Manager, Mrs. Faith Raradza, and Mabvuku District Officer, Addmore Guzha, admitted irregularities in the allocation process but claimed corrective measures were underway. However, many residents remain skeptical, viewing these admissions as attempts to deflect blame rather than address systemic corruption.
Local Mabvuku Ward 21 Councillor Alexio Nyakudya has been unreachable, further fueling suspicions of council complicity in the scandal.
Residents believe the scheme is being orchestrated by well-connected individuals within the council. In a letter to Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, Mr. Makasa highlighted the role of a suspected land baron, Jacob Jackson, who is often seen around the area and boasts of strong links to council officials.
Mr. Makasa, who has held the lease for over 30 years, stated that he has not received any eviction notice or official communication regarding the transfer of his property.
“As a long-standing ratepayer, I have not been informed of any sale or transfer of the property. I am still actively paying my rates, yet individuals are illegally occupying my land and causing damage,” he said.
He accused council officials of collaborating with Jackson to facilitate the illegal transfer of his land, adding that his efforts to resolve the matter with the local councillor and legal representatives have yielded no results.
Mrs. Mazonde, another affected resident, expressed her distress over the situation, saying she has suffered emotional and financial hardship.
“I have raised my children on this property. We have faithfully paid our bills to the council, and now we are being evicted as if we don’t matter,” she said.
Both residents appealed for urgent intervention to halt the illegal activities and restore their rights to the land.
This scandal highlights the deep-seated corruption within Harare City Council, where officials are accused of colluding with land barons to profit from the illegal allocation of land. Such schemes undermine property rights and cause significant financial and emotional distress to residents, many of whom are unable to fight back due to limited resources.
The illegal occupation and construction not only strip residents of their rightful property but also raise broader concerns about governance and accountability within the council. While officials claim “corrective measures” are being taken, the lack of decisive action suggests that corruption runs deep and involves multiple layers of authority.
Residents are demanding that the council investigate and prosecute those responsible for the illegal land transfers. Additionally, they are urging the Office of the Mayor to intervene and protect the rights of long-term leaseholders who have been paying their dues in good faith.
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