Cops to probe Zanu PF land barons

via Cops to probe Zanu PF land barons – NewsDay Zimbabwe August 5, 2015

GOVERNMENT yesterday ordered police to investigate all known and suspected Zanu PF officials engaging in illegal land deals and fleecing desperate home-seekers of their hard-earned cash.

BY MOSES MATENGA

Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere said there was no going back in “cracking the whip” on errant Zanu PF officials who abused the name of the party in acquiring land they were now illegally selling to residents.

“A number of land barons have emerged taking advantage of us not doing much about it and fleecing citizens of their hard-earned cash. That should stop now,” Kasukuwere said.

“No one is allowed to do that and all those who have been building illegally must know it’s illegal, criminal and unacceptable.

“People are abusing the party’s name and positions to carry out illegal activities. We have instructed the police to carry out investigations on known cases including Caledonia and other environs.

“You can’t sell land that doesn’t belong to you. The police will be visiting co-operatives to find out more.”

He added that government would soon avail more than 90 000 stands to low income earners in Harare describing the exorbitant prices being charged for small pieces of land by some land barons as criminal.

Kasukuwere said all those who continue to engage land barons risked losing their money and stands.

He said the abuse of co-operatives by individuals should stop forthwith.

It emerged also that more than 250 farms were in the hands of the land barons who had pocketed millions of dollars from land-seekers.

Last week, Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira told NewsDay that the land barons used their loot to finance former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s war chest.