Ministry of Lands, Zinwa & Local Authorities in Loggerheads.

Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Lands, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), and local authorities in Zimbabwe are at odds over the parceling out of land, with allegations of corruption and illegal land sales flying back and forth.

At the heart of the issue is the illegal sale of state land by village heads and traditional leaders, who are allegedly working with corrupt government officials and local authorities to parcel out land to desperate home seekers. This has resulted in the settlement of over 10,000 people in peri-urban areas such as Domboshawa, Seke, and Nyabira.

The government has warned that village heads found selling state land will be considered land barons and will face arrest. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, has reiterated the government’s commitment to taking a tough stance against land barons.

However, the issue is complicated by the fact that some government officials and local authorities are allegedly involved in the corrupt land sales. This has led to disputes and conflicts over land ownership, particularly in areas such as Kusile and Nkayi districts.

The government has urged anyone with evidence of corrupt land sales to come forward, and has warned that those found guilty will face prosecution and long jail sentences. Despite these warnings, the issue of illegal land sales remains a contentious one in Zimbabwe, with many desperate home seekers willing to take risks to secure a place to call their own.

The three government offices, have claimed ownership of land in different areas of their jurisdiction and therefore assuming powers to lease out and sale for business and residential purposes. Officer in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, on condition of anonymity told the Post On Sunday Newspaper that they have been pegging business centres in resettlement areas, with the support of the planning authority.

Local Authorities however claim full ownership and responsibility as far as offering and or sale of land is concerned in any jurisdiction, be it state or private property. ZINWA has been offering land within the water bodies around the country, on lease, without proper layout plans and technical knowledge on planning issues, a matter that has left investors confused with more questions than answers.

Local Authorities claim ZINWA has not right whatsoever to offer land without the support and approval of the responsible planning authority.

The issue at stake, speaks of the hazardous materials likely to contaminate water bodies, environmental degradation and improper settling of people in need of land for houses and businesses.

Land in Zimbabwe is currently the only available source wealth for many eyeing of every vacant space for development.

Efforts to get a comment from the responsible Ministers, Daniel Garwe and Anxious Masuka for the Ministry of Lands, were fruitless as their phones went unanswered.