The Tsvangirai led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) has called for the arrest of land barons affiliated to the ruling Zanu PF for allegedly using their connection to illegally acquire land for personal gains.
By Moregiven Sithole
This follows the recent public fallout between Zanu PF Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Philip Chiyangwa with the latter accusing the under fire local government Minister of demanding bribes from him.
In their exchanges, Kasukuwere fired back accusing the current Chiyangwa of illegally amassing land worth millions of dollars.
According to MDC-T Spokesperson Obert Gutu, the recent public spat between Phillip Chiyangwa and Saviour Kasukuwere disclosed shocking details about the activities of land barons in Zimbabwe.
“The MDC is deeply concerned that whilst millions of Zimbabweans are homeless and struggling to acquire land to build decent homes for their families, some well – connected individuals within the Zanu PF regime have access to thousands of hectares of both urban and rural land that they are now selling for private gain,” said MDC T spokesperson Obert Gutu in a statement released on Monday.
He added that as a party they are concerned by the public disclosure that Chiyangwa has amassed huge pieces of land that he is now re-selling to desperate home seekers at huge profits.
Gutu called on parliament and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission must immediately investigate these Zanu PF officials who own large tracts of land while the majority in the country are desperate to get land to build their homes.
“We call upon the Parliament of Zimbabwe and indeed, the Zimbabwe Anti–Corruption Commission, to immediately institute a thorough investigation into how certain individuals in Zimbabwe have somehow managed to corruptly acquire huge pieces of rural, urban and peri – urban land. There are reports that several Zanu PF politicians, including senior Cabinet Ministers, own several farms whilst thousands of Zimbabweans are struggling to be allocated agricultural land,’’ he said.
The MDC-T blamed the local authority for failing to provide residential stands to home-seekers resulting in land barons hijacking the process for their own benefit.
“The MDC is a social democratic political party that advocates for the provision of decent housing to all Zimbabweans, regardless of political affiliation.
“Presently, we are facing a situation whereby most, if not all, local authorities, have virtually lost control of one of their most essential functions which is to provide people with residential stands after they have formally registered on the housing waiting lists. Land barons have now virtually taken over all available urban land and they are now profiteering from the sale of residential stands,’’ said Gutu.
