Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister, Owen Ncube, has warned land developers against selling unserviced residential stands saying the unscrupulous practice was short-changing home seekers.
He was speaking during last week’s tour of Randolph Residential Housing Projects in Gweru.
“It is illegal and criminal to acquire land and begin parcelling it out to people without first putting in place basic infrastructure such as roads, water reticulation and sewer systems,” Ncube said.
“All those found flouting these regulations will face the full wrath of the law without fear or favour. Land barons must know that their days are numbered.”
The Midlands minister said government had put in place mechanisms to deal with land barons who thrive on duping unsuspecting prospective home owners through fraudulent land deals.
He said land developers should comply with approved local authority master plans and desist from illegal activities.
“I urge all chief executive officers, town clerks and town secretaries to fully adhere to President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa’s call to action of ‘no compromise on service delivery.’ There is no room for short cuts that only benefit criminals at the expense of the public.”
Gweru town clerk, Livingston Churu, said the operationalisation of the proposed city master plan would unlock council’s further investment in water infrastructure, roads and urban expansion.
- Politicians must walk their peace talk
- Matemadanda blasts Zanu PF Midlands leadership
- ‘Sanctions frustrating radio transmitter imports’
- Steal opposition members’ IDs: Zanu PF
Keep Reading
“As a local authority we are particularly concerned with improving water supply to the city,” Churu said.
“Gweru has a daily demand of 125 megalitres while its current pumping capacity stands at only 67 megalitres.
“We want to ensure our urban growth moves at par with expansion in infrastructure development.”
Over the years some land developers in the Midlands capital have come under scrutiny for selling stands on unserviced land as well as wetlands and other inhabitable areas.
