By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Bulawayo, — The Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, has issued a strong warning to councillors in Harare, Chitungwiza, and several rural districts, cautioning them against abusing State land. Muguti warned that any councillor found involved in illegal land activities could face arrest and detention during the upcoming festive season.
Speaking at the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) conference in Bulawayo, Muguti expressed deep concern over the rise of councillors turning into self-styled land barons. He accused some elected officials of illegally acquiring and selling State land under the pretense of offering residential stands, thereby undermining public resources and the law.
“We are aware that you have finished your master plans, but we are noticing a lot of councillors have become land barons; they are now leading land invasions in Chitungwiza, City of Harare, and some notable Rural District Councils (RDCs). Christmas might be very far for you,” Muguti stated sternly.
He further condemned the orchestrated land invasions, alleging that some councillors deliberately break the law and then seek to have the illegal settlements legalized through regularization schemes. Muguti emphasized that his office would no longer tolerate such conduct.
“In some cases, councillors are demanding that illegally occupied land be regularized, but we will no longer entertain such requests without proper justification. We will ask our town clerks tough questions to understand how these lands were acquired. If this continues, many of you could find yourselves behind bars during Christmas,” he warned.
Muguti urged councillors to abandon their self-serving pursuits and focus on their official duties of protecting public resources. “If you thought being a councillor is your quick ticket to luxury living, driving fancy cars, and donating vehicles, you are mistaken. We are committed to capacitating you and teaching governance because that is what you need,” he added.
The official’s warning comes amid ongoing concerns over land invasions and illegal land sales in Harare, Chitungwiza, and rural districts, which threaten to undermine urban planning and development efforts. Muguti called on councillors to clean up their acts and prioritize service delivery over personal interests.