Makoni land probe begins

Takunda Maodza Assistant News Editor
GOVERNMENT has opened investigations into how a former Zanu-PF councillor for Mayo in Makoni North, James Munetsi, swindled villagers and the Diaspora of thousands of dollars in a land allocation scam amid revelations he gave a Nigerian a farm, issued fake permits to beneficiaries and collected land levy on behalf of Makoni Rural District Council which he squandered.
A team led by Makoni district administrator Mr William Mashava comprising officials from the Civil Service Commission, President’s Office, Ministry of Lands and Resettlement and Makoni Rural District Council convened a meeting at Mayo Business Centre on Thursday last week to get first hand information from victims.

It is suspected that some council and Agritex officials were involved.
Senior officials from Makoni Rural District Council who attended the meeting distanced themselves from the scam but victims insisted they were involved.

Munetsi, who villagers say is untouchable because of his links with senior politicians in Manicaland, did not attend the meeting held close to his homestead.

“I am not here on a witchhunting mission or dog sniffing exercise. We are here to get the truth from what is happening here. Be free to say what you want so that everyone knows the truth,” said Mr Mashava.

“In 2013 towards elections we received bad information that there is a man who was allocating land and commercial stands without the involvement and authority from council. I am surprised to hear that there were people who were pegging and allocating land without the knowledge of the relevant authorities. There is anarchy and chaos in the villages.”

Mr Mashava told the gathering how Munetsi allocated 120 hectares of land in Macheke to a Nigerian but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stopped it.

“He allocated a Nigerian 120 hectares and it was captured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
It is alleged the Nigerian paid for the farm which he did not get.

Villagers said Munetsi charged them varying amounts per hectare ranging between US$12 and US$32.
They were only given half a hectare each and issued with fake permits.

Some of the fake permits were produced at the meeting and The Herald captured them on camera.
Using the fake permits, it is alleged Munetsi would then collect land tax on behalf of the Makoni Rural District Council which he converted to his own use.

Old resettlement schemes in Makoni fall under the Makoni Rural District Council which charges US$3 per hectare in tax annually.
Government is, however, in the process of ensuring that all land falls under the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement.

It is alleged Munetsi charged amounts ranging US$20 and US$40 for flea markets and commercial stands and pocketed the money.
He allocated business stands at undesignated areas in the villages and again pocketed the money.

It is believed Munetsi, a former headmaster and a holder of a Degree in Theology, swindled villagers in a bid to fund-raise for his election campaign in the July 31 harmonised polls.

He lost to Cde Francis Muchenje in Zanu-PF primary elections for Makoni North.
Munetsi would not comment on the allegations when contacted by The Herald.

He told the news crew to come to Mayo if they wanted a comment.
When The Herald went to Mayo, he claimed he was in Harare.

His mobile phone has not been reachable.
Last week The Herald reported how Munetsi also duped hundreds of people in the Diaspora over US$50 000 under similar circumstances.

Lands and Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora and Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman Cde John Mvundura last week expressed concern over the matter which they promised to investigate.

I have sent people to investigate so that we find out what is happening there. If there is anyone affected, let them come to us so that proper investigations are carried out,” said Dr Mombeshora.

Cde Mvundura said the matter was of serious concern to Zanu-PF.
“Had we known it, we would have summoned the person. If we get people who can witness the matter, then we will take up the matter from there,” he said.