Chinhoyi Town Council’s housing directorate has been accused of corruption following reports of alleged irregularities in the allocation and sale of residential stands.
Acting mayor Busani Dube-Marumahoko acknowledged receiving reports about officials in the housing department who are allegedly involved in underhand land deals.
“Off-hand I cannot give particular cases, but we have heard of our officials involved in shady stand deals,” he told NewsDay. We appeal to affected individuals to furnish my office with information so that we can get to the bottom of the rot and deal with bad apples.”
In the latest case, Pamhidzai Kaseke and Dennis Kagonye instructed council to stop developments on stand 15085 Coldstream suburb alleging ownership of the property was fraudulently changed into Shylet Pamugwagwa’s name behind their back.
Kaseke and Kagonye said in 2008 they entered into an agreement with Pamugwagwa’s late husband Tawanda Nhumbe in a deal involving the disputed stand.
“We agreed that Nhumbe should settle the full amount of $1 000 before he could start developments on the stand and subsequently facilitate the change of ownership,” Kagonye said.
“Before Nhumbe died he had paid the full amount, but sometime last year council resolved it wanted to repossess undeveloped stands and that is when we approached Pamugwagwa, who said she did not have finances to develop the stand.
“We told her we would reverse the deal and repay the $1 000 paid by her late husband so we could reclaim the stand, but we failed to reach a consensus.”
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He said Pamugwagwa then approached a named council official who fraudulently changed the ownership into her name without their consent or approval.
But Pamugwagwa hit back in a letter to council dated July 27, saying the stand was fully paid for and she was the legal executor of her late husband’s estate.
“I believe the seller is not being honest about proceedings that incurred,” she said.
“Therefore, if the seller has any objections he should settle the matter through the courts as stated in the Cession Agreement section 2 (h). The seller has hindered my progress.”
