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Mnangagwa ally in land grab storm
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A prominent ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and a senior Zanu-PF official, Voyage Dhambuza, has appeared in court on charges of land grabbing and unlawfully allocating council land to homeseekers in Harare.
Dhambuza, 41, who serves as the provincial secretary for security in Zanu-PF, was brought before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday, facing serious allegations related to unauthorised land development in Crowborough. The court heard that Dhambuza had invaded City of Harare land, parcelling out 49 residential stands to desperate homeseekers.
The complainant in the case is the City of Harare, represented by its director of housing, Samuel Nyabezi. The State opposed bail, citing the gravity of the allegations, which include unauthorized development of council land.
According to the State's case, Dhambuza, in 2016, established a housing development scheme called the New Dawn Housing Pay Scheme, of which he became the chairperson. The scheme attracted a membership of 49 individuals, who were desperate for housing.
Around 2022, Dhambuza allegedly identified an open space — stand number 4273 in Crowborough, a 7.4-hectare piece of land belonging to the City of Harare. The court heard that Dhambuza, without permission from the City Council, began to peg 49 residential stands, each measuring 300 square metres, and allocated them to members of his housing scheme.
Despite being warned by the City of Harare to cease the illegal activities, Dhambuza reportedly continued with his actions, enabling his beneficiaries to begin constructing homes on the council land. The unlawful developments were discovered after the City Council observed Dhambuza constructing roads and structures on the land without proper authorization.
Investigations revealed that Dhambuza, through his trust, violated the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act by encroaching on council land without approval, leading to the charges of illegal land development.
In addition to his alleged land dealings, Dhambuza has recently been embroiled in political controversy. According to reports, he has been active in the internal factional battles within Zanu-PF, reportedly removing party members from WhatsApp groups in Harare province for allegedly supporting Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in the ruling party's internal struggles. Dhambuza is a close ally of Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa.
The case has sparked renewed attention on the issue of land corruption and illegal land deals, with critics accusing some members of the ruling elite of exploiting their political positions for personal gain at the expense of the public.
Dhambuza, 41, who serves as the provincial secretary for security in Zanu-PF, was brought before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday, facing serious allegations related to unauthorised land development in Crowborough. The court heard that Dhambuza had invaded City of Harare land, parcelling out 49 residential stands to desperate homeseekers.
The complainant in the case is the City of Harare, represented by its director of housing, Samuel Nyabezi. The State opposed bail, citing the gravity of the allegations, which include unauthorized development of council land.
According to the State's case, Dhambuza, in 2016, established a housing development scheme called the New Dawn Housing Pay Scheme, of which he became the chairperson. The scheme attracted a membership of 49 individuals, who were desperate for housing.
Despite being warned by the City of Harare to cease the illegal activities, Dhambuza reportedly continued with his actions, enabling his beneficiaries to begin constructing homes on the council land. The unlawful developments were discovered after the City Council observed Dhambuza constructing roads and structures on the land without proper authorization.
Investigations revealed that Dhambuza, through his trust, violated the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act by encroaching on council land without approval, leading to the charges of illegal land development.
In addition to his alleged land dealings, Dhambuza has recently been embroiled in political controversy. According to reports, he has been active in the internal factional battles within Zanu-PF, reportedly removing party members from WhatsApp groups in Harare province for allegedly supporting Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in the ruling party's internal struggles. Dhambuza is a close ally of Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa.
The case has sparked renewed attention on the issue of land corruption and illegal land deals, with critics accusing some members of the ruling elite of exploiting their political positions for personal gain at the expense of the public.
Source - newsday
