Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
THREE men have been arrested for allegedly occupying a residential stand in Crowborough Extension and establishing a housing cooperative named ‘Vatema Votonga.’
Alibson Jonga (55), Edson Muhala (57) and Ephert Meso (42) appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The State alleges that the complainant joined the Harare City Council housing waiting list in 2011 and, after attending an interview in 2016, was provisionally allocated Stand 3924 in Crowborough Township.
It is alleged that the complainant later paid the required administration fee, and provisional, deposit before beginning servicing works on the property, including sewer and water connections, alongside other beneficiaries.
Prosecutors allege that between 2019 and the date of arrest, the trio, acting in common purpose with three other suspects who are still at large, unlawfully occupied the stand and formed a housing cooperative known as ‘Vatema Votonga’.
According to the State, Jonga is the chairperson of the cooperative, Muhala is its secretary, while Meso is a member of its supervisory committee.
The court heard that the trio allegedly allocated the stand to another individual, who went on to erect three structures and a perimeter fence on the property.
It is alleged that the complainant made several unsuccessful attempts to take possession of the stand before reporting the matter to the police, leading to the trio’s arrest.
