Council to bar suspected land baron from its offices

Herald Reporter

Harare City Council says it wants to bar a suspected land baron and opposition activist Gilbert Bgwende from visiting its premises amid allegations that he is working in cahoots with some officials to grab council land.

This is contained in a leaked memo from acting director of human shelter services, Mr Edgar Dzehonye. The memo was addressed to the city’s head of public safety and copied to the mayor, the director of housing, the town clerk and the chamber secretary.

Mr Dzehonye said he noted with concern the illegal activities by one Bgwende, who is in the habit of illegally grabbing approved lay-out plans and selling council land.

“His illegal conduct is now habitual. This is unwelcome. His illegal activities once saw council taking action against his collaborators through disciplinary action,” reads part of the memo.

“This resulted in some casualties in the form of council employees who were dismissed. He must be barred from accessing council premises.”

Mr Dzehonye said Bgwende ought to be barred as he has also instituted acts of banditry in the past.

“The worst of such acts were in the Highfield Probation area where he shot and injured one Moffatt Swizani sometime in 2019,” he said.

“The shooting was done using his 9mm pistol that was acquired for gun club sport purposes.”