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Cletus Mushanawani Manicaland Bureau
FIVE Mutare residents appeared before the courts yesterday for illegally parcelling out residential stands on land set aside for schools and colleges.
Binali Yard (37), Trust Mutima (39), Webster Mudzimwa (39), Tawanda Ndawe (39) and Brian Marange (59), were not asked to plead when they appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, who remanded them in custody to today for their bail ruling.
They allegedly contravened Section 24 (1) as read with Section 24 (4) of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act, by “unlawful carrying out development without permission” or alternatively criminal trespass as defined in the criminal law code.
The five were represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, while Mrs Tadiwanashe Muuya represented the State.
The complainant in the matter is Mutare City Council represented by its principal security officer, Mr Tricos Zezai.
In a statement yesterday, police said they had intensified operations against the illegal allocation of housing stands by land barons in several parts of the country in line with the recent press statement on illegal settlements on agricultural land by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, and in conjunction with Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ministers, Provincial Development Coordinators and Ministry of Local Government and Public Works responsible for urban and local authorities.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi advised the public to “come forward and report illegal acts by land barons to enable the law to take its course”.
Anyone with information should contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest police station.
Online Reporter