Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
TWO members of a Harare-based Trust have appeared in court on allegations of illegally pegging residential stands and constructing makeshift houses on land reserved for a school in Glaudina.
James Chavura (57) and Prisca Nyaruvembu (47) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo, facing charges of carrying out development without approval.
They were granted bail and remanded to July 17 for routine proceedings.
The complainant is Nhaka Yababa Trust, represented by its chairperson, Mr Samson Chauruka.
According to the State, Nhaka Yababa Trust was established in 2017 to identify and acquire vacant land for allocation to its members. The trust reportedly has about 400 members.
In the same year, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) donated Stand Number 3924, a 46,353.9-hectare property in Glaudina, to the trust.
A Memorandum of Agreement of Cession was subsequently finalised in 2021, formally transferring rights to the land.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu alleged that following the cession, the trust developed a layout plan that designated land for residential stands, commercial sites and a school.
Members, including Chavura, were allocated residential stands in line with the approved plan.
The trust’s management committee allegedly reserved specific open spaces for educational facilities, commercial development and future residential allocations.
However, in February this year, Chavura and Nyaruvembu allegedly teamed up with Tyson Chavura and Noah Chavura, who are still at large, and unlawfully pegged residential stands on land earmarked for a school.
The court heard that the accused persons subsequently constructed four makeshift houses on the disputed land, encroaching on an area set aside for educational purposes.
