Story by Tichaona Kurewa
The development of a comprehensive database for land developers to monitor their activities and restore sanity in land development is on course.
Government temporarily suspended the sale of state land last year after reports of unethical practices, corruption and other malpractices detrimental to development.
This has prompted government to develop a database for land developers to monitor their activities and protect the citizenry.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Honourable Daniel Grarwe told ZBC News in Victoria Falls recently that there won’t be a blanket lifting of the moratorium for the 92 local authorities.
He said, “We have 92 local authorities with a variety of challenges. Some have human capital challenges. Others are swimming in corruption like the City of Harare. Others are immersed in incompetence. So we wanted to clean all that mess as we audit the land. In areas where we think we are happy that this area is now clean, like Mutare for instance, Chiredzi Rural District Council, Chipinge Rural District Council, Chipinge Town Council, those ones we are ready to say look we can lift the moratorium here so it’s not a blanket lift throughout the country. It’s local authority based.”
The ongoing land developers audit is bearing fruit in some local authorities.
Government also aims to use the audit to establish a comprehensive database for land developers and implement minimum service delivery standards while local authorities account for the land they are holding.
Violations of the 30/70 rule, which mandates that developers surrender 30% of developed land to local authorities or the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for allocation to civil servants prompted the proclamation of the moratorium last year.
The need for clear policies and regulations governing land allocation to developers also contributed to the suspension of land sales.
