New suburbs in Midlands a ticking time bomb: Commission

Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent 

THE Commission of Inquiry into the sale of State Land has expressed concern over the prevalence of urban settlements without proper water and sanitation facilities all over the country. 

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Senator Larry Mavhima, on Friday, chairperson of the Commission Justice Tendai Uchena said such settlements were a health time-ticking bomb for residents.

Comm Uchena said most residential areas developed in the province had no proper water and sanitation facilities, a development which has exposed residents to diseases that breed under unhygienic conditions such as cholera and typhoid.

He said most residents in these areas had resorted to unsafe water sources and substandard ablution facilities. 

“We also looked at whether the piece of land occupied has proper water and sanitation. These ones we have come across, a number of them in the province, and they are a cause for concern because if people stay in an environment without water, without sewer they normally dig shallow wells and also build blair toilets,” he said. 

The Commission is in the province to investigate on State land that was improperly allocated to land developers. A number of local authorities have been summoned by the Commission to give evidence on how they disposed State land to ensure that the process was not fraudulent and was above board.

Minister Mavhima said the Commission’s exercise will help correct anomalies in the sale of State land in the province.

“We are happy that you are here because we also have issues with regards to the sale of the State land by various individuals and organisations which has to a very large extent caused some consternation among people. I can see we have a lot of issues in the Midlands Province where things were not done right. We believe in your Commission, these things will be unravelled and proper or appropriate action taken to rectify that,” he said. 

The Commission is also conducting hearings on those implicated in the illegal disposal of State land as part of its enquiries into the sale and use of State in urban areas. Most urban councils in the country have been accused of fraudulently allocating residential stands and land to land barons, a development which resulted in most home seeking individuals losing money.