Government declares war on land barons, illegal land sales

In a statement yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said Government had noted with concern the continued proliferation of illegal vending and informal trading at undesignated sites in Harare’s Central Business District and the wider Harare Metropolitan.In a statement yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said Government had noted with concern the continued proliferation of illegal vending and informal trading at undesignated sites in Harare’s Central Business District and the wider Harare Metropolitan.

Remember Deketeke

Municipal Correspondent

THE Government has declared an all-out crackdown on land barons, corrupt traditional leaders and illegal land dealers, warning that those found allocating, subdividing or selling State, local authority or communal land without authority will be arrested, prosecuted and face the full force of the law.

This was said in a press statement by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe.

He said the era of lawlessness in the administration of land was over, describing illegal land transactions as a threat to orderly human settlements, public infrastructure and the rule of law.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued criminal occupation, subdivision and sale of land by land barons, headmen, village heads and other individuals who are undermining Government authority, the rule of law and orderly human settlements for personal gain,” he said.

Minister Garwe said the illegal occupation, subdivision and sale of State, local authority and communal land without lawful authority constituted a criminal offence that had fuelled illegal settlements, destruction of public infrastructure, environmental degradation, land disputes and the defrauding of home seekers of their hard-earned money.

“The era of lawlessness is over. The abuse of public land, fraudulent land sales and illegal settlements will no longer be tolerated,” he said.

“The Ministry will not condone the abuse of public office or the exploitation of citizens by criminal syndicates operating under the guise of land development.”