By Thabisani Dube
HARARE – Government has once again warned land barons and illegal land dealers, saying those involved in the unlawful occupation, subdivision and sale of land will face arrest and prosecution.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said authorities had intensified enforcement measures against criminal networks accused of facilitating illegal land including traditional.
In a statement, Minister Garwe said illegal settlements and fraudulent land sales were now threatening orderly human settlements leading to unsuspecting citizens losing money.
“The illegal occupation, subdivision and sale of State, local authority and communal land without lawful authority is a criminal offence. These unlawful activities have resulted in illegal settlements, destruction of public infrastructure, environmental degradation, land disputes and the defrauding of Zimbabweans of their hard-earned money.”
The Minister said Government will no longer tolerate tolerate land barons and individuals operating under the guise of housing cooperatives, developers or land agents without approval from relevant authorities.
He said all land barons will be arrested and prosecuted, while headmen and village heads found participating in illegal land sales will be prosecuted and where possible, be removed from office upon conviction.
Government has also established multi-agency enforcement teams comprising law enforcement agencies, local authorities and the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe to investigate and dismantle networks involved in illegal land allocations and settlements.
Minister Garwe said the measures followed a directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa for authorities to end criminality, corruption and abuse of public office in land administration, adding that no one is above the law.
The latest crackdown comes after repeated Government warnings against illegal land allocations and fraudulent housing schemes, with authorities urging citizens to exercise caution when purchasing residential stands.
The demand for housing land has created opportunities for unscrupulous individuals to exploit home seekers for residential stands.
Many home seekers have lost money after buying stands from unauthorised sellers that have no approved layout plans, ownership documents or development permits.
Government advised prospective homeowners to verify land ownership, planning approvals and development authority with relevant local authorities and Government departments before making payments.
