Former Harare mayor Ben Manyenyeni and former acting town clerk Josephine Ncube appeared in court yesterday, facing duty abuse charges. Regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa released both without conditions since they had come from home. The case involves a housing development deal between Harare City Council and Shelter Zimbabwe.
Shelter Zimbabwe applied in 2013 to develop residential stands in Mabvuku, claiming financial ability for the project. The council approved plans for 1,500 residential stands after the committee review. The city provided 657 hectares of land for Shelter Zimbabwe to service with infrastructure over two years, starting October 2016. Housing director Mathew Marara rejected the company's early request to sell stands before completing development work.
Court records show Ncube and Manyenyeni changed the agreement on September 15, 2017, without council approval. They allowed Shelter Zimbabwe to sell unserviced stands against contract terms. The company collected money from buyers but failed to develop the land properly. The project value reached approximately $20 million, with stands selling around $15,000 each. State prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi presented the case about mismanagement of public resources.
Shelter Zimbabwe applied in 2013 to develop residential stands in Mabvuku, claiming financial ability for the project. The council approved plans for 1,500 residential stands after the committee review. The city provided 657 hectares of land for Shelter Zimbabwe to service with infrastructure over two years, starting October 2016. Housing director Mathew Marara rejected the company's early request to sell stands before completing development work.
Court records show Ncube and Manyenyeni changed the agreement on September 15, 2017, without council approval. They allowed Shelter Zimbabwe to sell unserviced stands against contract terms. The company collected money from buyers but failed to develop the land properly. The project value reached approximately $20 million, with stands selling around $15,000 each. State prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi presented the case about mismanagement of public resources.
