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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 34093, member: 636"]
Two former city leaders faced criminal charges yesterday over a controversial land development project. Ben Manyenyeni, who served as mayor from 2013 to 2018, and Josephine Ncube, the acting town clerk from 2015 to 2017, appeared before a regional magistrate. The pair was released without bail restrictions.

The case centers on a land deal with Shelter Zimbabwe involving 1,500 residential stands. Officials allegedly allowed the company to sell unserviced land despite recommending contract cancellation earlier. Shelter Zimbabwe failed to develop the land after receiving payment from potential homeowners.

Prosecutors claim that Manyenyeni and Ncube improperly amended a memorandum of agreement without council approval. They reportedly authorized Shelter Zimbabwe to sell residential stands contrary to the original contract. The total project value is US$20 million, with individual stands selling for around US$15,000.

The project began with Shelter Zimbabwe proposing a joint venture to develop residential areas. After multiple committee meetings, the city council initially approved the partnership. However, the company never started work within the agreed six-month timeframe.

Despite recommendations from housing and works directors to cancel the agreement, city management met with Shelter Zimbabwe. They subsequently allowed the company to sell unattended stands without proper authorization. The case highlights potential administrative misconduct in the city's land allocation process.
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