AN opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillor faces arrest after residents of Mabelreign in Harare petitioned the government and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) to investigate controversial structures that were recently demolished in the suburb, alleging the project was illegal from the outset.
The petition, dated April 11, was addressed to Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe, Harare mayor Jacob Mafume, provincial officials and Zacc.
The matter follows the demolition of structures erected behind Zesa offices in Mabelreign, a development that sparked public outrage after questions emerged over how construction was allowed to take place.
Residents accused ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore and another businessman of facilitating unauthorised construction on land designated as a public car park.
“The site remains legally zoned as a public parking area, and no valid full council resolution was ever made to convert it to commercial use,” the petition read.
The residents said businesses operating at Mabelreign shopping centre were never consulted despite being directly affected by the project.
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“There was no consultation with shop owners or other stakeholders, which is a serious violation of administrative and planning procedures,” the petitioners said.
According to the petition, council documents only referred to a temporary market proposal that had been discussed at committee level, but had not received approval from full council.
Residents allege that despite this, permanent brick and mortar structures were erected instead of a temporary market facility.
Residents said the eventual demolition of the structures was itself proof that the development process had been irregular.
They are demanding that council releases all resolutions, approvals and correspondence linked to the project within 72 hours, as well as procurement records and ownership details within five days.
The petition urged Zacc to investigate Ngadziore for possible abuse of office and the businessman for allegedly undertaking the construction without authority.
“We request a full anti-corruption investigation into all parties involved and a review of similar developments approved under councillor Ngadziore’s watch,” the petitioners said.
Zacc spokesperson Simiso Mlevu said she would check whether the anti-graft body had received the petition from the residents and respond.