Zanu PF to flush out land barons
Political Editor
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s Vision to ensure Zimbabwe becomes an upper-middle class economy by 2030 will be achieved and the governing party Zanu PF should remove impediments, including land barons, that stand in the way of the goal, an inter-ministerial committee heard.
This comes as President Mnangagwa has directed relevant authorities, that include ministries, Government departments and agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing sanity to the country’s local authorities that he said had failed Zimbabwe.
The President said corrective measures must be taken to bring order to the country’s growth points, towns and cities that have seen the mushrooming of new settlements, albeit without the requisite facilities such as water, sewer, electricity and roads around the country.
By Robert Tapfumaneyi
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has maintained his spotlight on MDC dominated urban authorities he blames for poor planning to a point where some homeowners have been settled on wetlands.
In the past few years, Harare especially, has seen a lot of land fall into the hands of greedy land barons with strong political connections in both Zanu PF and MDC.
The barons have gone on to sell portions of the properties to desperate homeseekers who only realise their misfortune when authorities send earthmoving machines to put down the homes in cruel fashion or the same homes are submerged in floods.
Better days are coming: President
President Mnangagwa addresses the nation at State House in Harare yesterday. Picture: Believe Nyakudjara
Address to the nation by His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Cde E.D Mnangagwa yesterday
Fellow Zimbabweans; I address you today a month into the year which we believe will be prosperous and peaceful.
As Government, we continue to bolster our national resolve, determination and action plan towards arresting the impact and spread of the COVID-19 outbreak within our country.
The more infectious second wave which has touched the whole world has not spared Zimbabwe.
Wetlands: Tough laws on the cards
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
Government is crafting tough legislation to decisively deal with land barons who are illegally parcelling out residential and commercial stands, especially on wetlands.
The President is now seized with the matter and all culprits will be punished as the Government seeks to solve the problem permanently.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda yesterday confirmed that the issue was now being handled at the highest level.
Dr Sibanda was speaking after presiding over the signing of a performance contract for Engineer Joy Pedzisayi Makumbe, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary for National Housing and Social Amenities.