Govt takes land from rogue developers

GOVERNMENT will from October 2015 repossess land allocated to 200-plus developers, which has been lying idle instead of being serviced and delivered to thousands of people countrywide.

The developers have not put up basic infrastructure like roads, water and sewage systems despite collecting subscriptions since 2008.

An on-going audit by authorities has identified housing co-operatives as chief culprits.

It is still unclear, though, whether punitive action will be taken against the rogue developers, or if the prejudiced will be compensated.

The Sunday Mail learnt last week that Government would engage new developers via a tender system.

Building societies will be roped in to fund infrastructure development and properties mortgaged to repay the money.

Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Engineer George Mlilo said: “We have temporarily halted allocation of land to developers as part of the fight against land barons. We are in the process of auditing land use and have established that some housing co-operatives allocated land back in 2010 have not yet serviced it.

“If they do not have the capacity to do so, we are repossessing that land. We know there is a lot of idle machinery, so we are going to partner contractors and building societies to put up infrastructure like roads and water and sewage pipes.

“We are also working with councils so that they take the same route. We believe this will help develop more residential areas.”

Zimbabwe National Association of Housing Co-operatives president Mr Mike Duru supported Government’s efforts to provide affordable housing.

“The goings-on in most housing co-operatives are disturbing, to say the least. What Government is doing will go a long way in dealing with the challenges home-seekers have faced for years.”

Rural and urban planning expert Dr Sasha Jogi added: “The way the exercise will proceed is critical as it has to address challenges currently hindering development in most housing co-operatives.

“From the outset, there is need to ensure housing co-operatives afford onsite and offsite infrastructure development. In addition, Government should manage these co-operatives so that they only employ professional town planners in cases of sub-divisions. There should also be no abuse of funds by management committees.”

Housing co-operatives were introduced to complement Government’s mandate to provide affordable housing after the national backlog topped 1,25 million.

Those allocated State land are supposed to develop it expeditiously, with title deeds due after stands have been allocated.

However, some co-operatives have invariably been encouraging their members to build houses on unserviced land, while making thousands of dollars from subscriptions.

In April 2015, Government handed over administration of Caledonia Farm in Harare to council as housing co-operatives there failed to develop the area for years.

Around 30 000 members were duped of a cumulative US$57 million.

Since August, 50 people have been arrested for illegally parcelling out State and council land in Harare.

Over 2 600 housing co-operates are registered with Government.