News:The Source Explains why Chombo's Anti-corruption tirade is laughable

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Business news publication The Source has explained why it's laughable for senior Zanu-PF leaders to claim they are serious about fighting corruption. Last week, Ignatius Chombo said that corruption would not be tolerated in the party. Said Chombo:

At last week’s meeting of (provincial) chairpersons with President Mugabe at State House on Wednesday, the President talked about something that we think when said to us chairpersons, is a command. President Mugabe pressed on the issue of corruption saying in the provinces where chairpersons work they should seriously look at the issue of corruption as it has the potential of killing the party.

The Source however explained how Chombo benefited himself with land corruptly sold to him by the Harare City Council when he was Minister of Local Government:

Take for instance, the case of Stand 61 in Helensvale, a prime property area in the affluent northern verges of Harare. In the 1990s, the council had abandoned a plan to allocate the land for residential purposes. Residents of the area had successfully fought against the land being allocated for residential use. A council resolution was then made to keep the piece of land as a natural reserve area. It would not be sold to anyone.

Six different applicants had their eyes on the piece of land, among them churches and private buyers. They applied to the city council for the land. They were told the land was not for residential purposes, according to a council resolution.

Unbeknown to them, Chombo also had an eye on the property. Between 2004 and November 1, 2006, the six applicants were all turned down; the land was not for residential use, they were repeatedly told.

On December 13, 2006, a month after the last applicant had been turned down, a letter arrived at city council from Chombo. Addressed to the then town clerk Tendai Mahachi, Chombo’s letter expressed his desire to buy Stand 61. He wanted it for residential purposes.

“Director (of Urban Planning Services) Psychology Chiwanga responded to the Minister’s application advising him that he would assist Dr Chombo to get the stand,” the councillors investigation found. “The Director also recommended to Council that, the Minister be sold the stand without going to tender as per Council Policy.”

On March 25, 2008, council pegged the price on the property and, the very same day, sold the stand to Chombo. Three days after Chombo bought the property, the council applied for “change of land use,” to allow it to be used for residential purposes. Who did the council apply to? To Chombo himself. It was, predictably, approved immediately.

Read full story on The Source

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