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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Government has ordered the suspension of Harare City Council Engineer, Christopher Zvobgo, over the illegal connections of water supplies to various housing cooperatives situated at undesignated areas around the city.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, yesterday ordered the immediate suspension of Eng Zvobgo during a fact-finding tour of some areas where houses were demolished and several cooperatives dotted around Harare.
The minister also ordered the police to arrest land barons fleecing people of their money by selling stands on land that does not belong to them.
Minister Kasukuwere said while council was complaining about the illegal structures and bogus cooperatives, it was apparent that the same local authority was connecting water supplies to these cooperatives.
He said some land barons and city officials were conniving to illegally connect water from council lines.
The minister sought an explanation from the city council’s town chamber secretary, Ms Josephine Ncube and Eng Phillip Pfukwa, who were at pains to respond to questions put to them.
“You cannot tell me that these people here are connecting water supplies on their own,” said Minister Kasukuwere pointing to a water meter reading at Leopold Takawira housing cooperative in Marimba. “Where did they get that meter reading? Is that not council property?”
Ms Ncube said it was council property, but was quick to point out that investigations were underway to establish who were behind the illegal connections of water supplies to the cooperative.
Minister Kasukuwere said there was need for a shake-up at Harare City Council to restore order in the city, adding that Eng Zvobgo should be in the know of what was going on with regard to water supplies to these areas.
“I am now ordering you to suspend Zvobgo with immediate effect and investigate this mess,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
“There must be a shake-up at council. We cannot have this kind of thing happening, that is illegal water connections, building of houses on top of water mains. Zvobgo must tell us.”
Ms Ncube said already council was investigating several cases of the illegal water connections with the aim of bringing culprits to book.
“Currently, investigations are underway in respect of the illegal water connections,” said Ms Ncube. On Zvobgo’s suspension, Ms Ncube said council would look into it. “We will let you know. We will work on it. We will follow the due process.”
Minister Kasukuwere also ordered council to take over Leopold Takawira housing cooperative with immediate effect and ensure that roads were serviced.
He said the cooperative with about 1 000 housing units would not be demolished, but regularised.
“What it means now is that you will pay your money to council not these criminals,” said Minister Kasukuwere in apparent reference to INNOP Investment Private Ltd, a land development company owned by MP Innocent Pedzisayi. The members of the housing cooperative were paying for their houses to INNOP, which allegedly claimed to be the owner of the land.
However, the land belongs to business tycoon Mr Billy Rautenbach, who was part of the entourage. He also owns the land near Aspindale where the Harare City Council demolished over 200 illegal structures last week.
The Government agreed that Mr Rautenbach would retain his industrial land while he gets compensation for the land given to Leopold Takawira housing cooperation.
The minister said all those who were affected by the demolitions should compile a list of names for onward transmission to the Harare City Council which would allocate them land to construct their houses.
“Council must now set up an administrative office here where you will pay your money. Stop paying these unscrupulous land barons,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
He also said all the illegal structures at Kuwadzana 1 cooperative would be demolished because they were at an undesignated area. The tour also took the Minister to Airport Nyikavanhu housing cooperative where illegal structures have mushroomed. Harare South MP Shadreck Mashayamombe, briefed the minister about the obtaining situation.
He said the first batch of 600 illegal settlers have been moved to Stoneridge Farm and the second batch was expected to be moved today.
“Everything is correct (sic),” said MP Mashayamombe. “We expect that by Wednesday everybody would have left this place, but the challenge we are facing is that of acute shortage of land.”
When the Minister and his team arrived at Nyikavanhu some of the illegal settlers had pulled down their structures and left. Over 200 illegal structures along High Glen and Kambuzuma Roads whose owners belong to 32 bogus housing cooperatives, were demolished last week. Council officials said the houses were built on State land meant for a hospital and other amenities.
Some people whose illegal structures were demolished said notices were sent six months ago by council ordering them to vacate, but they ignored because cooperatives representatives promised to liaise with council.
The illegal settlers claimed chairmen of the cooperatives that had formed Stars Consortium, who could not be contacted as they vanished from the scene, had told them to ignore the notice.
Online Reporter