News / National
Sparks fly as councillors grab stands in leafy suburbs
07 Dec 2024 at 10:24hrs | Views
Harare city councillors are embroiled in corruption allegations following reports that they allocated themselves residential stands in affluent suburbs, contrary to Government policy. The scandal has reignited concerns about corruption within the local authority.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works mandates that councillors should only receive residential stands within the wards they represent or in neighbouring wards if space is unavailable. However, reports suggest that some councillors have bypassed these rules, acquiring stands in upscale areas like Borrowdale, Highlands, Greendale, and Mt Pleasant.
Sources within the council allege that the allocations favor a faction aligned with Mayor Jacob Mafume, sidelining other councillors.
"It is dog-eat-dog as only a cabal aligned to Mayor Mafume is being given first preference to the affluent suburbs of Harare. Others are being sidelined," said an insider.
The allegations come in the wake of the death of Mr. Fani Machipisa, the head of human shelter services, who had reportedly resisted councillors' demands.
Housing committee chairperson and Ward 2 Councillor Blessing Muroiwa denied any wrongdoing, insisting that allocations follow Ministry policy.
"Our parent Ministry's circular is very clear. Each councillor shall be allocated a residential stand in his or her ward, and that's what we are following," said Cllr Muroiwa.
This is not the first time Harare councillors have been implicated in land scandals. In 2022, councillors from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) were accused of buying commercial and industrial stands for as little as US$60 and reselling them at inflated prices.
A Commission of Inquiry into Harare City Council's operations since 2017 uncovered that over 5,000 plots were illegally allocated by councillors and officials ahead of the 2023 elections. The inquiry highlighted a pattern of land grabs during election periods to win voter support.
The latest allegations underscore systemic issues within the city council, which has struggled with governance and transparency. Critics argue that the allocation of residential stands must be subject to stricter oversight to curb corruption.
As investigations continue, the scandal raises serious questions about the integrity of Harare's local governance and the mechanisms in place to hold councillors accountable.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works mandates that councillors should only receive residential stands within the wards they represent or in neighbouring wards if space is unavailable. However, reports suggest that some councillors have bypassed these rules, acquiring stands in upscale areas like Borrowdale, Highlands, Greendale, and Mt Pleasant.
Sources within the council allege that the allocations favor a faction aligned with Mayor Jacob Mafume, sidelining other councillors.
"It is dog-eat-dog as only a cabal aligned to Mayor Mafume is being given first preference to the affluent suburbs of Harare. Others are being sidelined," said an insider.
The allegations come in the wake of the death of Mr. Fani Machipisa, the head of human shelter services, who had reportedly resisted councillors' demands.
"Our parent Ministry's circular is very clear. Each councillor shall be allocated a residential stand in his or her ward, and that's what we are following," said Cllr Muroiwa.
This is not the first time Harare councillors have been implicated in land scandals. In 2022, councillors from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) were accused of buying commercial and industrial stands for as little as US$60 and reselling them at inflated prices.
A Commission of Inquiry into Harare City Council's operations since 2017 uncovered that over 5,000 plots were illegally allocated by councillors and officials ahead of the 2023 elections. The inquiry highlighted a pattern of land grabs during election periods to win voter support.
The latest allegations underscore systemic issues within the city council, which has struggled with governance and transparency. Critics argue that the allocation of residential stands must be subject to stricter oversight to curb corruption.
As investigations continue, the scandal raises serious questions about the integrity of Harare's local governance and the mechanisms in place to hold councillors accountable.
Source - The Herald
