THE Local Government, Public Works and National Housing ministry has warned desperate home seekers to guard against fraudulent housing providers by verifying their authenticity before transacting.
BATANAI MUTASA OWN CORRESPONDENT
In a press statement, the permanent secretary in the ministry‚ George Mlilo‚ said there had been rampant fleecing of desperate home seekers and prospective home owners by unscrupulous and bogus private land developers, housing co-operatives and housing trusts.
He said such co-operatives could only charge for services carried out like roads, storm water drains, water and sewer reticulation and electricity and were not allowed to sell or charge for land.
Survey instructions and title deeds can only be obtained from the ministry or relevant council and not land developers or housing co-operatives as they were not housing authorities. Mlilo explained that all housing developments required an approved layout plan and a development permit.
“Some of these bogus property dealers go as far as the rural areas targeting unsuspecting civil servants and dupe them of their hard earned cash on the pretext that they would, one day, be property owners,” said Mlilo.
“It is against this background that the ministry is warning members of the public to desist from purchasing stands without due diligence, by way of verifying the legality of the land sales and occupation.”
Private land developers gained prominence as a result of most local authorities’ inability to service stands owing to limited resources.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mlilo advised home seekers to check on the registration of any housing provider and verify the status of the land in question like requisite plans and approved engineering designs for roads, storm water drains, sewer and water.
He noted incessant illegal occupation of vacant State land reserved for government and council use. Rampant construction on such critical spaces such as wetlands has been causing many problems countrywide where some residents have suffered after their houses were destroyed after being classified as illegal.
“The ministry would like to warn these entities that are in the habit of unprocedurally parceling out pieces of government and council land to stop forthwith and to remove all the illegal structures put thereon. Those who need land for housing development should approach the ministry and relevant councils for consideration.”
