Private land developers in Midlands province who were
allocated State land for resale as residential and commercial stands, paid
kickbacks of more than US$5 000 to top government officials, it has been
learnt.
This was revealed at the ongoing Land Commission inquiries
chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena in Gweru yesterday.
The developers implicated Matilda Manhambo, who worked as
the Midlands provincial projects officer in the Ministry of Local Government
and has since been suspended on allegations of illegal land deals with the case
before the courts.
Directors of Striations World Marketing Property Developers
spilled the beans, while giving evidence and said their company, which was
given three pieces of land for housing projects, paid US$5 000.
Asked by commissioner Heather Chingono to explain what the
money was for, company director Francis Chikwira said they do not know, but
just paid.
“Well, soon after getting an offer letter of land, we were
so excited and we paid the money,” he said.
The directors were, however, unable to produce receipts for
the money amid indications the money went into personal use of Public Works and
Construction officers who were responsible for the projects.
However, Danai Machakaire, another director of the company,
said the money was for an association of land developers, but failed to explain
why the funds were paid in cash and not into a government account.
Revelations were also made during the hearing that land
developers paid monthly fees to the same authorities which were not accounted
for.
“In your experiences of how government works, had you
(directors of the company) seen such a thing happening where money whose
purpose is not known is paid into a non-government revenue account?” Justice
Uchena asked.
The directors insisted that they only paid the money and were
not bothered to ask for the reasons.
The company is accused of conniving with Public Works
officials in unprocedurally acquiring State land.
Pressed to disclose who exactly demanded the US$5 000,
Striations manager Tagutsva Ruwodo said it was Manhambo.
Meanwhile, River Valley Properties proprietor Smelly Dube,
who is facing a slew of allegations of grabbing State land and selling it to
unsuspecting home seekers including bribing top officials and media personnel
to cover up the alleged scam, is expected to appear before the commission this
week. Her lawyers last week failed to have her give evidence in camera. Newsday
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