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Blessings Chidakwa Herald Reporter
Recalled former MDC-Alliance Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba and Clr Kudzai Kadzombe have been fingered in another land scam after allegedly selling a stand subdivided for a church and private school under unclear circumstances.
In another land scam, Clr Kadzombe is alleged to have grabbed a 4 000 square metre stand for personal use alleging that it was rightfully given to her by council.
The alleged land scams are contained in a confidential report directed to Ministers of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Housing and Social Amenities Daniel Garwe and Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidawu.
A copy of the report was also said to have been copied to Harare town clerk’s office, although yesterday acting town clerk Mabhena Moyo said he was yet to receive it.
The confidential report compiled by residents was part of a petition requesting investigations into the sale of stand 951 Marlborough Township to a local church by the City of Harare during former Mayor Gomba’s tenure under unclear circumstances.
“The stand was subsequently changed to 4918 (church stand) and 4919 (primary school). We are requesting a thorough investigation into the matter.
“We are also requesting an investigation into the subdivision and allocation of stand 1875 Marlborough Township involving the former Councillor for Ward 41 (Marlborough) Kudzai Kadzombe during her term of office,” reads the report.
According to the report, residents said they suspect proper procedures were not followed and other beneficiaries within the former councillors’ circle may have unjustly enriched themselves.
“The stands in question are abutting properties. We the undersigned residents are therefore objecting to the allocation of stands in Marlborough involving a church and the former councillor Kudzai Kadzombe and request an urgent investigation into this matter.
“We have also attached site plans highlighting the stands involved which we have attached as Annexure A, B and C to this letter. Please note that 10 stands were created on stand 1875; one of them which now belongs to the former councillor,” reads the report.
According to the confidential report, residents said they have noted with concern that due procedures were not followed concerning these stands such as change of land use where residents were supposed to be notified and given the opportunity to submit objections, if any, according to the Regional Town and Country planning Act.
Legally stands on public land cannot be allocated until provision of basic infrastructure such as water, sewer and roads are in place.
“None of these are present yet the former councillor has already started constructing and the house in question is almost complete without this infrastructure in place. The 10 stands averages 4 000 square metres each in an area which has an average stand size of 500 square metres.
“So we are demanding to know what legal basis these stands were created and acquired under? Are they even legal? What processes were used to select the beneficiaries? Are they not beneficiaries of nepotism, corruption or favouritism,” reads the confidential report.
The residents also demanded to know who the beneficiaries are and what selection criteria was used to allocate them.
“According to what is on the ground the stands encroach into an area earmarked for a public school. Part of the land that had been earmarked for a public school and yet it was also sold to a local church under unclear circumstances.
“We as residents are totally against the resolution that was passed by full council last year which allows land invaders to regularise their ill begotten wealth by paying regularisation fees.
“We feel this is a resolution designed to sanitise corruption in council and only fuels the unprocedural acquisition of land by both councillors and land barons alike,” reads the report.
According to the confidential report residents are demanding their school back since Marlborough has no public school built since Independence despite the increase in households over the years.
“We vehemently object to these stands and we are very disappointed with Kadzombe our former councillor. She was also former head of the city of Harare Environmental Committee before being recalled.
“We expected her to lead by example and reject such stands instead of justifying them and being on the forefront of acquiring and building there despite the area not being suitable for putting up residential stands,” reads the report.
Online Reporter