by Christopher Makaza

Land barons who abuse their positions to exploit desperate home seekers including those who abuse President Emmerson Mnangagwa's name, whilst parcelling out land illegally for selfish gain will face a 12 months jail term, a government official has said.

In a press statement on urban and rural land in invasions yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable July Moyo noted that genuine housing cooperatives had been high-jacked by greedy individuals who are extorting money from desperate home seekers.

"Our laws clearly articulate the role of government and that of citizens in development of land either for commercial use or housing. The Regional Town and Country Planning Act and in particular Section 24 (4) Control of Development which criminalises any form of development without permits or approval plans. This means that the land baron is in violation of the law and could face up to one year  imprisonment should they also fail to adhere to section 32 (Enforcement Order) which criminalises non-compliance to an enforcement order," said Minister Moyo.

The Minister highlighted that many of these land barons have to date parcelled  out state, local authority land and even private land across the country citing that in Harare they had invaded Mufakose, Budiriro, Hatcliffe and Aspindale among other places, while in Chitungwiza they have invaded land under Zesa and sewer lines, schools, clinics and football fields.

The Minister highlighted that Ministry authorities in Harare Metropolitan province were working with security agencies to ensure that all those involved in land scams are arrested adding that land developers who have failed to deliver their obligations of developing and servicing the land, whilst selling stands and pocketing the funds for themselves will be subjected to similar laws of the land.

The Minister revealed that the Ministry's Permanent Secretary has sent out teams across the country in order to identify all land that was allocated and settled by land barons, Council officials and business community with a view to fully account for land illegally allocated and expose any criminal activities that also might include developments without the necessary approval.