Story by Peter Chivhima
A Chitungwiza Municipality land survey technician, Henry Kandawasvika has been arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
Kandawasvika who was arrested by officers from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been sucked in a scandal involving former Chitungwiza Town Planner, Rosemary Maridza, who is still at large and suspended Director for Housing, Hazel Sithole, who is on remand.
Allegations are that sometime in 2019, Maridza allegedly created a site plan for 30 commercial stands in Unit G, Makoni Business Centre without following procedure.
The land which belongs to the state and requires Ministerial authority for change of use was reserved for an open space on the Chitungwiza Municipality layout plan.
It is alleged that Kandawasvika and Maridza made false representations on verification forms claiming that the land was for commercial use.
It is further alleged that the stands were submitted to the suspended Chitungwiza Director of Housing who went on to allocate the land to hand-picked individuals, contrary to the municipality’s housing policy.
Kandawasvika is expected at the Harare Magistrates Court for initial remand this Wednesday.
