Harare City council land sales mired in controvers...

Harare City council land sales mired in controversy

Philemon Jambaya

Assisatnt Editor

Harare City Council is facing scrutiny after a 2023 audit report revealed a lack of transparency surrounding land sales and serious allegations of corruption.

The report, compiled by Acting Auditor-General Mrs. Rhea Kujinga, exposes a system rife with missing documentation and potential misuse of funds.

The crux of the issue lies in the council's inability to provide basic documentation to support the land sales. Sale agreements and bank statements, crucial for verifying transactions, were reportedly absent during the audit. This lack of transparency makes it impossible to confirm the legitimacy of the sales or track the revenue generated.

The limitations imposed by missing documents hampered a thorough examination. The recorded "reconnection fees" associated with the land sales lack the necessary supporting evidence, raising concerns about their validity.

The missing paperwork adds fuel to the fire of existing corruption allegations. The report suggests potential collusion between councillors and management, with accusations of using proxies to loot public land and divert the proceeds for personal gain. This alleged scheme would leave the city financially worse off, depriving it of much-needed revenue.