Govt probes Kadoma Council

By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma

There was widespread panic in Kadoma recently when a team of investigators arrived in the city to probe council officials over land administration.
An insider at town house told Nhau/Indaba that the recent invasion of Kadoma by a team from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works’ office saw the city management and councillors, having a torrid time explaining and providing evidence on how land is administered in the city of gold.
When Nhau/Indaba visited the council offices, most of the top management that is usually available were evasive citing unending meetings. The city’s public relations department refused to entertain journalists, saying they should wait for a media briefing, which never occurred.
The department said the meetings were confidential consultations.
The scrutiny and secrecy around the ‘meetings’ had members of the public pointing to a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) probe.
Citizens of Kadoma believe the council and its officials have been illegally parceling out land, a practice that is rampant in urban councils.
“What the general public thinks is that this is a team from ZACC. Let me put it on record that it is the Minister of Local Government (and Public Works) who has instigated these investigations for all local authorities to appraise on issues to do mainly with the use and administration of land under respective jurisdictions.
“The team is focusing on three local authorities in each round of these investigations,” said an official privy to developments.
“If you remember well, Chitungwiza was under the same scrutiny a little while ago.”
The official, who preferred anonymity as he is not allowed to comment on behalf of the council, said the probes were intensifying.
“The team was in other local authorities before. They were in Gokwe last week (the week before they arrived in Kadoma). I believe their next port of call is Chegutu Town. They’re not divulging details about their job even to us.”
Various stakeholders including residents’ associations, the business community and land developers were among those invited to furnish the investigating team with details.
“My chairperson has been called by the team investigating at town house. They are conducting closed door interviews. It’s only one individual at a time,” said George Mabwe from Berina Residents Association.
Acquisition of land in urban Zimbabwe remains one of the hot issues in the country as top Government and council officials have been fingered in illegal land deals.
This has prompted Government through corruption watchdog ZACC, to act, resulting in arrests of many council officials including Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, who is currently on bail.
Last year, a Justice Tendai Uchena-led Commission of Inquiry was tasked by the President Mnangagwa to also look into the manner in which urban land is owned, parcelled, developed and utilised. Nhau/Indaba