adminTHE City of Harare is investigating some senior officials implicated in the illegal distribution of about 1 300 stands over the past five years.
According to minutes of an audit committee meeting held a fortnight ago, the officials took advantage of a shambolic register of housing co-operatives to distribute the stands.
“Two co-operatives namely Gandanga and Rehoboth were allocated excess stands of 28 and 5 respectively when comparing council resolution and offer letters.
“Another over allocation of 24 stands arose when comparing membership lists submitted to audit and offer letters,” read part of the minutes.
“Another housing cooperative, Tabudirira housing cooperative, allocated itself 112 stands encroaching into the land which is supposed to be utilised by CABS project thereby depriving the CABS project fund.
“The committee noted the gravity of misconduct and agreed that appropriate disciplinary action be taken.”
The housing backlog in Harare stands at half a million and cases of illegal sale of stands have been on the increase.
Recently, Government suspended about 1 500 housing co-operatives in Harare to clear the way for investigations into the shady deals.
Some of the co-operatives were accused of taking advantage of the huge demand for residential properties to charge exorbitant membership and developers’ fees.
Online Reporter