A CONTENTIOUS issue has emerged in Mbare, Harare, involving JB Family, a company owned by young entrepreneur Blessed Charakupa, a well-known Zanu PF benefactor, which stands accused of illegally grabbing and destroying a property belonging to the Harare City Council (HCC).
The property was previously utilised as a vocational training and rehabilitation centre, and allegedly leased to another business entity, Public Hygienic Eye, in accordance with urban renewal and renovation of derelict places laws.
However, in an interview this week, mayor Jacob Mafume disclosed that the property in question was leased to someone else and not JB Family.
He said occupation without council’s consent or engagement would result in imminent demolition.
“We have heard by the local councillor that the said property has been legally leased to someone not the one named JB Family and that prospective occupant or developer has already started some developments in Budiriro,” Mafume said.
“If there are space barons who rushed to occupy the same property in question, as the HCC, relevant departments, will take all necessary steps to remove anything erected illegally at the vocational training and rehabilitation centre.
“I am informed that it was only through part public-private partnership which saw the property being put under urban renewal and renovation phase, in accordance with local governance’s development of some derelict places.”
Ward councillor Bornface Maburutse also confirmed that the property was leased to Public Hygienic Eye by council.
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He said part of the contractual obligation was to build a vocational skills training and rehabilitation centre in Budiriro and develop part of Chinembiri Vocational Centre in Mbare.
“The place was legally leased to Public Hygienic Eye, an entity which has contractual obligation to develop and renovate some other vocational training and rehabilitation centre in Mbare and Budiriro which is going on now.
“We were surprised that some space barons just allocated themselves (space) at the area without engagement or having an agreement with city council.
“This is unheard of and as responsible authorities, we will legally fight against land baronism and make sure the rightfully-leased entity occupies the place.”
However, JB Family business owner has already converted the property to tuckshops, sparking concerns among local residents and officials.
According to sources at the local authority, JB Family allegedly encroached onto council property, demolishing existing structures that once served as a vocational training and rehabilitation facility.
The site has since been redeveloped into tuckshops, raising questions about the legitimacy of the land acquisition and the disregard for zoning regulations.
Residents of Mbare have expressed discontent with the situation, citing the loss of a valuable community asset and the potential negative impact on the local economy.
Council said an investigation into the matter was underway, focusing on determining the circumstances surrounding the land acquisition and the alleged destruction of the vocational training and rehabilitation centre.
