By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Zimbabwean government has addressed recent criticisms surrounding its decision to allocate residential stands to members of Parliament (MPs), asserting that the practice is lawful and not unprecedented.
This response follows allegations made by award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who claimed that the ruling Zanu PF government granted free residential stands to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MPs as a reward for their support in shielding President Emmerson Mnangagwa from impeachment and potentially aiding efforts to extend his presidency.
Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, issued a statement on April 10, 2025, reaffirming that the allocation of 70 stands to lawmakers in Harare, Goromonzi, and Zvimba is part of a longstanding agreement established in 2013. This agreement enables MPs to receive residential land as part of their service conditions.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in 2013 partnered with the Parliament of Zimbabwe to avail residential stands in urban and peri-urban areas for allocation to Honourable members, effective from the 8th Parliament onwards,” Garwe explained.
He highlighted that previous MPs have also benefited from this initiative, which includes allocations in Goromonzi (188 stands), Bulawayo (49), Chiredzi (12), Kadoma (9), and Beitbridge (5).
“Since its inception, the facility has benefited Honourable members from the 8th (2013-2018), 9th (2018-2023), and the current 10th Parliament. This facility is a once-off entitlement given as a non-monetary benefit, which is part of their conditions of service,” Garwe added.
The most recent distribution occurred on April 9, 2025, with 70 MPs receiving stands: 15 in Killarny (Goromonzi), 15 in Penrose (Zvimba), and 40 in Mabelreign (Harare).
Garwe emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader commitment to improving the welfare of public servants, reinforcing that similar benefits are extended to war veterans, women, youth, and civil servants.