Police arrested former Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni and ex-Acting Town Clerk Josephine Ncube for allegedly abusing their positions. They face charges related to changing a land development deal between the city and Shelter Zimbabwe that reportedly cost Harare about $20 million in lost revenue.
Harare City Council agreed in 2013 to let Shelter Zimbabwe develop 1,500 housing stands across 657 hectares in the Tafara and Mabvuku areas. The original contract required Shelter Zimbabwe to build infrastructure first, with the council selling serviced stands later and paying the company afterward.
The pair allegedly modified this agreement in 2017, allowing Shelter Zimbabwe to sell undeveloped land directly. Officials say the company sold these bare plots but never improved the land or paid money back to the city as required. Both former officials will appear before the Harare Magistrate Court today.
Harare City Council agreed in 2013 to let Shelter Zimbabwe develop 1,500 housing stands across 657 hectares in the Tafara and Mabvuku areas. The original contract required Shelter Zimbabwe to build infrastructure first, with the council selling serviced stands later and paying the company afterward.
The pair allegedly modified this agreement in 2017, allowing Shelter Zimbabwe to sell undeveloped land directly. Officials say the company sold these bare plots but never improved the land or paid money back to the city as required. Both former officials will appear before the Harare Magistrate Court today.
