Residents of Gwanda have accused their councillors of “turning themselves into estate agents” by allocating themselves prime stands in the town and immediately selling them at a huge premium.
In a note seen by ZimEye.com, the residents claim that the predominantly ZANU PF councillors “have moved from rags to riches in just two years into their term of office after allocating to one another prime land and selling it willy nilly.”
The residents also claim that the councillors have had land dealings with land barons from Harare who have been given a huge number of residential stands and giving the councillors kick backs that include huge amounts of cash and motor vehicles.
“We reliably have it on record that a land baron from Harare has been allocated more than 600 stands and been buying cars for the councillors every time they give him stands,” reads the note.
In the note, the residents further claim that the land barons acquire the land from council from as low as $1 000 and sell the stands to the public for as much as $10 000 on a long-term payment arrangement.
According to the residents, the land barons demand a twenty percent deposit for the stands and monthly payments of up to twenty four months at an interest forcing the cost of the stand to multiply tenfold.
Contacted for a comment on the issue, Gwanda Residents Association chairperson Bekezela Fuzwayo said that his association has also received a similar note from anonymous residents and will be investigating before making a confirmed statement on the matter.
“We have received the accusation too from the residents and we will be making our own investigations on the matter this week,” he said.
Several local authorities are currently under Ministry of Local Government land audits following revelations of corrupt dealings on stands by councillors and council staff.
The biggest land scandal is expected to be reported from the audits being carried out at the City of Bulawayo and Chitungwiza Municipality.
Local Government Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere has warned that heads will roll in all local authorities where any land irregularities are unearthed. The Minister has also previously ordered for the prosecution of any officials found on the wrong following the audits.