Harare, (New Ziana) – The Government has renewed its warning against land barons and illegal land dealers, declaring that anyone involved in the unlawful occupation, subdivision or sale of land will face arrest and prosecution as authorities step up efforts to restore order in land administration.
Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe said law enforcement agencies have strengthened operations targeting criminal syndicates accused of illegally allocating and selling land, including cases involving communal land under the authority of traditional leaders.
In a statement, Garwe said the growing problem of illegal settlements and fraudulent land transactions was undermining proper urban planning while exposing unsuspecting home seekers to financial losses through bogus land deals.
“The illegal occupation, subdivision and sale of State, local authority and communal land without lawful authority constitutes a criminal offence. These activities have resulted in unplanned settlements, damage to public infrastructure, environmental degradation, land disputes and the defrauding of Zimbabweans of their hard-earned money,” Garwe said.
He stressed that Government will no longer tolerate individuals or groups operating as land barons or masquerading as housing cooperatives, property developers or land agents without the necessary approval from the relevant authorities.
“All identified land barons will be arrested and prosecuted, while headmen and village heads found facilitating illegal land sales will also face prosecution and, upon conviction, will be removed from their positions in accordance with the law,” he added.
The Government has established multi-agency enforcement teams comprising law enforcement agencies, local authorities and the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe to investigate and dismantle syndicates responsible for unlawful land allocations and the development of illegal settlements.
Garwe said the latest measures follow a directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa instructing authorities to eliminate criminal activities, corruption and abuse of office within land administration, emphasizing that no individual will be exempt from the law.
The renewed enforcement campaign comes after several Government warnings over illegal land allocations and fraudulent housing schemes, with citizens once again being urged to exercise caution before purchasing residential stands.
The increasing demand for residential land has created opportunities for unscrupulous individuals to exploit prospective homeowners by selling unapproved and illegally allocated housing stands.
Government has advised members of the public intending to buy residential stands to first verify land ownership, planning approvals and development permits with the relevant local authorities and Government departments before making any payments.
New Ziana
