Tichaona Zindoga Political Editor
Land barons in Kuwadzana, Harare, face imminent arrest following moves by authorities to stop the wanton parcelling out of residential stands at Paddock Farm.
On Monday, the local Member of the House of Assembly Cde Betty Nhambu Kaseke, toured the farm with planning officials from Harare City Council and the farm manager to assess the situation.
Three men, who were allegedly playing as “fronts” for land barons were apprehended and taken to Kuwadzana 2 Police Station, where they are assisting with investigations which could lead to the sniffing out of the land dealers.
Cde Nhambu Kaseke told The Herald that there had been an upsurge in illegal land dealers in recent weeks following an order by Minister of Local Government and Urban Development Cde Saviour Kasukuwere to regularise a sprawling settlement at Paddock Farm, which is owned by City of Harare.
She added that some unscrupulous individuals, including some allegedly from her office, were abusing her name in fraudulent activities.
“It came to my attention following our meeting with Minister Kasukuwere that there were shocking developments in the upsurge in distribution of stands by some land barons, whose names we shall soon be disclosing following ongoing investigations,” she said.
She said she was prepared to fight it out with land barons, some of whom were spreading misleading messages via social media platforms.
“As the Member of Parliament of the area, I am there to protect the people and it is unacceptable for land barons to be parcelling out land and taking money from the people.
“Cde Kasukuwere made it clear that all developments should be in tandem with municipal laws and there should be proper planning and the city council would lead the process to ensure that all problems likely to interfere or derail the process are eliminated,” said Cde Nhambu Kaseke.
She said her office had incorporated a housing association to oversee orderly settlement, make policies and eliminate land barons.
Registration by the new body is set to begin on July 1.
“We already have 30 cooperatives and we do not any more coming.
“No money should be paid to cooperatives or individuals but channelled towards development,” said Cde Nhambu Kaseke.
The Paddock settlement is home to about 3 000 people and Government earlier this month ordered the regularisation of the area so that residents could stay legally and access amenities.
The city council is complying and now carrying out initial planning work.