Suburban
WARD 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore alleges that some politically-connected land barons have invaded greenways in Haig Park, Meyrick Park, St Andrews Park, Cotswold Hills and Greencroft in Mabelreign.
Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter
He claims the invasions took place following a meeting of the alleged politically-connected land barons.
But ZANU PF District Coordinating Committee 4 Secretary for Administration Cde Spencer Mackenzie Mabeka said he was not aware of the alleged meeting held by the politically-connected land barons.
In a statement, Cllr Ngadziore said individuals involved in implementing development projects without council approval risk losing their money as such projects will be demolished.
“It has come to my attention that a group of politically connected land barons held a meeting last week in which they resolved to proceed with another illegal invasion of various areas in Mabelreign that include greenways in Haig Park, Meyrick Park, St Andrews Park, Cotswold Hills and Greencroft.
“True to that illegal resolution, on 12 January, they proceeded to invade greenways along 33, 34, 46 and 47 Avenues.
“They are doing this without any supporting documents as required at law.
“All they are holding onto is an application letter to the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry which does not in any way give them the right to invade these pieces of land,” he said in the statement.
Cllr Ngadziore said he will lead and scale up the fight against activities of politically connected land barons in the best interest of Ward 16.
“I stand ready as a residents’ representative to pay the ultimate prize in defence of our community.
“Threats, illegal arrests and all forms of intimidation shall not divert me from discharging the mandate given to me by the residents,” he said.
Ward 16 will not allow any development that is not procedural, be it on State land, council land or private land, Cllr Ngadziore said.
“City of Harare remains the only authority mandated to plan, do numbering, approve layouts designs, approve architectural designs and approve actual building through the relevant offices.
“The local office of the district officer currently occupied by Mrs Gambiza is the point reference on all city matters,” said the councillor.
Last year the CCC members were accused of allegedly selling stands on greenways in Ward 16 to fund party activities for the 2023 harmonised elections.
Cde Mabeka said the leadership of the ruling party’s district youth executive in Mabelreign found out that Cllr Ngadziore and his allies had put security walls around most of the greenways on Hallingbury Road in Sunridge.
Cde Mabeka said the opposition members were now using a place in Mabelreign as their office for CCC activities.
“And they are planning to grab one of these greenways which is about 3 000 or 4 000 square metres to build their permanent headquarters for CCC,”
He said ZANU PF youths got wind of the scheming and decided to counter the CCC moves because the greenways belong to the State and council had no power over them.
