Going forward

Both central government and councils are blaming each other for the demolitions and this must stop. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and police need to investigate these allegations around allocation of stands.

Known land barons, corrupt politicians, councillors and managers must be arrested, prosecuted and given deterrent sentences. Assets acquired from the proceeds of their land corruption must be forfeited to the Council.

Local authorities need to develop an electronic housing waiting list such that there is very minimal contact between home seekers and council officials. An electronic housing waiting list will promote transparency and accountability.

The local authorities also need to document land they own, information that only seems to be known by a few individuals in the town planning and valuation departments. It seems there is no political will to put order at the municipalities as the chaos is breeding corruption.

Municipalities should identify land for proper housing delivery for all the victims of corruption. The victims must also play their part and reveal how they were duped, and produce the fake documents that they used to acquire the land through corruption.

This issue is a double-edged sword. The local authorities must also not be seen to be condoning corruption by regularising the illegal sales. One way to do this would be for the victims to pay penalties and all planning fees before regulalisation. Councils should first identify alternative land, properly allocate it, and use the electronic housing waiting list as earlier highlighted.