Harare land grab scandal: Chiyangwa at the center ...

Harare land grab scandal: Chiyangwa at the center of controversy

Zim Now Writer

A high-level inquiry into irregularities within the Harare City Council has exposed a controversial land allocation to businessman Phillip Chiyangwa in a prime suburban area originally designated for road expansion. The revelation has ignited a heated dispute between Chiyangwa and Chinese investors who had developed a high-end complex on the site.

The commission, led by Justice Maphios Cheda, heard testimony from Harare City Council's director of works, Zvenyika Chawatama, who admitted that an error was made in allowing JC Delonics, a Chinese firm, to develop the land. "It was an error on the city council's part," Chawatama conceded.

The land in question, located in the upscale Helensvale area, had been set aside for road expansion, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of Chiyangwa's claim to it. Chawatama confirmed that it was not council policy to sell land intended for road use, further fueling concerns about the circumstances surrounding the allocation.

JC Delonics, co-owned by Jesse Zhang and Zimbabwean partner Nicholas Mandeya, had constructed a restaurant at 617 Windmill Lane. Mandeya testified before the commission that Chiyangwa had allegedly threatened them, instructing them to "go back to their country" and boasting of his untouchable status.

The company is now seeking to recover over $200,000 invested in building a car park on the disputed land, which they were forced to halt after claims emerged that it belonged to Chiyangwa's Pinnacle Holdings.