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Pamela Shumba , Senior Reporter
THE Land Commission is in Bulawayo to conduct hearings as part of its inquiry into the sale and acquisition of State land in and around urban areas since 2005.
Addressing journalists during a Press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, chairperson of the commission Justice Tendai Uchena said the commission had already conducted inquiries in Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
He said the commission yesterday commenced its work in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces and will continue to November 23.
“The commission has undertaken site visits to State land located in and around urban areas in three provinces and it will now be conducting hearings from today, November 8 to 23, to inquire from the public on people who bought State land handed over for urban development and also inquire on double or multiple allocations.
“The commission will also inquire about people who have been allocated land on spaces meant for building schools, clinics, roads, recreation sites, under power lines and wet lands. We’ll also look into people who have been displaced or prejudiced in any way by the re-allocation, resurveying and re-pegging of stands,” said Justice Uchena.
He added that the commission will also look into people on settlements which have not been serviced for a long time and where development has occurred without appropriate approval from relevant authorities.
“The commission’s duty also involves getting information on illegal transactions of urban State land and people who have been promised stands and have been paying but have not been allocated.
“During the site visits, testimonies will be heard and recorded. Accordingly, the commission will summon the Government officials and local authority staff to give evidence on various matters pertaining to acquisition, allocation, planning and development of urban State land handed over by the responsible ministry,” said Justice Uchena.
He said in Bulawayo province, the commission is interested in Rangemore, Umvutshwa B, Woodvale Farm, Reigate, Good Hope, Mopani Farm and any other urban State land that may be known to the public.
“In Matabeleland North, the commission is interested in Ndengwenge of Lupane, Hwange State land of Hwange and Masuse State land in Victoria Falls.
“In Matabeleland South, the commission is interested in Judas and Doelfontein Farms in Gwanda, Huntingdon, Webster, Wartrail and Luscombe Farms in Plumtree,” said Justice Uchena.
President Mnangagwa in February this year appointed the six-member Commission of Inquiry chaired by Justice Uchena to the matter of the sale of land in and around urban areas since 2005.
The appointment was done in terms of Section2 (1) of the Commission of Inquiry Act (Chapter 10:07) and Statutory Instrument 103 of 2017.
The other five commissioners are Mr Andrew Mlalazi, Mr Steven Chakaipa, Dr Tarisai Mutangi, Dr Heather Chingono and Ms Petronella Musarurwa.
— @pamelashumba1
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo