admin
Walter Mswazie Masvingo correspondent
THE government is investigating the allocation of more than 5,000 residential stands in Masvingo’s Victoria Range following allegations of nepotism and corruption in choosing beneficiaries.
The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Cde Shuvai Mahofa, said she was waiting for a report from the provincial audit team that was assigned to look into the matter at Victoria Range which falls under Masvingo Rural District Council.
Cde Mahofa said once the report is handed to her, it would be made public and measures would be taken to address any anomalies that may be detected.
“I can confirm that an audit of stands at Victoria Range was done but I’m yet to get a report from the land audit team. I will furnish you with the information once the report is out,” she said.
Cde Mahofa said the issue of people who grab huge tracts of land was disturbing as they deprive genuine home seekers of a chance to own their own houses.
“The government will not fold its hands when desperate home seekers are deprived of an opportunity to have a roof over their heads. The government is committed to providing housing for all and this is well enshrined in the blue print Zim-Asset,” she said.
Speaking to journalists during Heroes Day commemorations last month, Cde Mahofa read the riot act to land barons saying they stood to lose some of their properties.
A number of unsuspecting home seekers have lost thousands of dollars through the illegal sale of residential stands.
The government has since launched a blitz on land barons who have sold State and council land to unsuspecting home seekers with others having been brought before the courts. In order to protect home seekers from land barons, the government is working on a housing scheme known as Own-Your-Home Contributor Scheme to meet Zim-Asset’s target on housing provision.
Under Zim-Asset, the government expects to provide up to 300,000 residential stands by 2018.
Online Reporter