Harare Council risks land loss over Chiyangwa compensation directive

The Harare City Council faces potential financial losses running into thousands of dollars if it complies with a government directive to compensate Pinnacle Holdings with several tracts of land - a move that has triggered outrage among councillors and residents.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe recently issued a directive instructing Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume to allocate land to Pinnacle Holdings, owned by Zanu-PF member and businessman Philip Chiyangwa, as compensation for property previously acquired by the government.

The controversial directive has sparked a storm within council chambers and the broader public, with critics warning it could see prime council land undervalued and handed over without due process.

During a heated council debate, Ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore raised concern over the valuation used in the proposed compensation.

"The report is saying US$5 per square metre. So my argument is, in Malbereign and around Harare, we are selling at US$20 per square metre, whilst on the other side, it is going for US$5 per square metre," Ngadziore argued.

"We cannot transfer land whose value we do not know. We are not transferring tomatoes; this is land we are talking about."

The proposal has also angered residents, with local associations describing the directive as unconstitutional and accusing central government of interfering in the operations of the local authority. Many are now calling for the compensation process to be suspended pending full transparency and accountability.

Several stands have reportedly been earmarked for the compensation deal, but anomalies have emerged during preliminary assessments by councillors.

Councillor Adonia Shoko pointed out that some of the land in Kuwadzana earmarked for transfer already has occupants with offer letters from council. Similar concerns were echoed by Ward 41 Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe.

"I have a personal interest because, as Councillor of Ward 41, we have already raised this issue," said Kadzombe.
"We have a piece of land in Bluffhill which is on that list, but residents had already submitted a petition and begun mobilising to build a council school."

The Harare City Council's Finance Committee is expected to deliberate on Garwe's directive, while also conducting due diligence on the reported anomalies.

However, Mayor Mafume made it clear that council may have limited room to manoeuvre if the government insists on enforcing the directive.

"Anyone who feels aggrieved or has their property rights affected by the letter is advised to make a beeline to their lawyers," Mafume told councillors.

As pressure mounts from residents and civic groups, legal experts are weighing in on whether such directives violate the Urban Councils Act or infringe on municipal independence. Meanwhile, questions remain over the actual value of the land in question and the legality of its transfer to Pinnacle Holdings without a transparent compensation framework.

The saga adds to a growing list of land-related disputes involving the state and private entities, and underscores long-standing concerns about property rights, valuation inconsistencies, and political interference in local governance.