The Sunday Mail
Brian Chitemba Investigations Editor —
The Harare City Council pampered senior MDC-T officials —including party deputy president Ms Thokozani Khupe, mayor Bernard Manyenyeni and some councillors — with huge tracts of land in Mt Pleasant.
According to documents seen by The Sunday Mail, Ms Khupe — who was Deputy Prime Minister in the inclusive Government — was allocated 3 741 square metres at stand number 1001 Mt Pleasant for US$26 117. Real estate agents say such properties range between US$90 000 and US$100 000.
She allegedly tried to sell put the stand for US$90 000 and wanted the money paid into an offshore account.
Following our enquiries, Clr Manyenyeni also revealed that the council had allocated land to Harare South National Assembly representative Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe and the metropolitan province’s Minister of State Miriam Chikukwa.
Quizzed by The Sunday Mail over the issue, Ms Khupe said, “An offer came through an estate agent but it was not taken up. This stand in question, I bought it for cash.
‘‘During that same time, female ministers were given stands and I bought mine. We drilled a borehole last year.”
Since 2009, Ms Khupe’s stand has been vacant.
Clause 8 of the agreement signed between Ms Khupe and the City of Harare reads, “The construction of a dwelling house in accordance with the approved plan and specifications by the seller shall be commenced and completed within three months and 18 months respectively from the date of signing of the agreement of sale.
‘‘Any extensions to the building period specified in the clause may be granted at the discretion of the seller taking into account the building progress achieved by the purchaser.
“For the purpose of clause 8 hereof ‘commenced’ means that foundations of the main building have been dug and the erection of the building is in progress at such rate as will ensure completion within the time prescribed in clause 8 hereof.
‘‘In the event of a dispute as to whether building has been commenced in terms hereof, such dispute shall be referred to a single arbitrator nominated by the seller.
“‘Completed’ means that a certificate of occupation of building as aforesaid has been issued in respect thereof in accordance with building by-laws of the City of Harare in force from time to time.”
Councillors who benefited from the Mt Pleasant stands include Ward 41’s Charity Bango who was allocated stand 1005 for US$12 020,26; while Highlands Clr Peter Mudavanhu got stand number 1002 (3 740 square metres) for US$10 469,20.
Authorities are questioning why Ms Khupe and other MDC-T officials were allocated stands yet an August 6, 2015 circular by Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo, stated that only councillors, mayors and chairpersons were supposed to benefit from council stands on condition that they had not benefited previously.
Mayor Manyenyeni was last year allocated a 5 200-square metre stand at number 984 Mt Pleasant valued at US$78 000.
Council asked the mayor to pay US$35 880 after giving him a 40 percent discount.
Clr Manyenyeni said, “I asked to be the last to be given my council stand as a leader. I have been shown the stand and will pay before end of my term as required. Public officials are as entitled as anybody else just like we did for Honourable Miriam Chikukwa and Honourable Shadreck Mashayamombe during this current council.
I am not sure of any high profile MDC-T buyer during this term of council but I can always check and advise.”
The council’s housing and community services acting director Major (Retired) Matthew Marara said the allocation of the stands to the mayor and other councillors was above board.
Government authorities investigating the matter are questioning the pricing of the land, if the land was indeed paid for and the practice of dishing out potentially under-priced land for sale for large profits.
