ZPF leaders allegedly dishing out land for votes and profit
By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 October 2012
Residents of Chinamano Cooperative, whose homes were demolished last weekend
by a government owned firm, have accused ZANU PF leaders of giving out
private land under the guise of land reform, in order to get votes and
profit.
The ZANU PF Provincial Chairman, Amos Midzi was implicated in the scam by
residents, who lost everything during demolitions last week. Residents
admitted they had been notified to vacate the premises by the development
company, Sunway City, which is owned by the Industrial Development Company.
But they insist they were told to ignore the warnings by ZANU PF local
leaders who said the land was publicly owned and they had a right to stay.
Reports quoted one resident Peter Burombo, as saying: “We were ordered long
back to vacate but some ZANU PF leaders, including Midzi, said all land
belonged to government and the country was undergoing a land reform process
and everyone had a right to land. It therefore came as a surprise that we
were just evicted.”
Police arrived early in the morning and ordered everyone out of their homes,
leaving bulldozers to destroy some well-built structures. Reports said those
who tried to resist were threatened with assault or arrests.
Sunway City had acquired a court order allowing the demolition of the
houses, on the basis that they were illegal. According to Community Radio
Harare (CORAH), families were thrown out on a cold and rainy morning, while
some children were getting ready for school.