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CHRA in support of Mayor Masunda on land deals audit
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
August 12, 2011

The Combined Harare Residents Association Board and membership would like to publicly support the Mayor of the City of Harare, His Worship Muchadeyi Masunda in his bid to set up an independent tribunal which is to look into the illegal land deals that were ventured into by the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Dr I. Chombo, Mr Phillip Chiyangwa a well known property magnet and others. Our public support comes at a time when an appointed Councilor, Mr Charles Nyachowe who is known in Council for in-subornation, is calling for the abolishment of that process. Councilor Nyachowe has written to the Mayor, calling for the Mayor to stop the setting of the tribunal. The Mayor is accused of advancing his personal interests at the expense of residents. We would like to place on public record that the residents of Harare demand an urgent "tribunal to probe allegations of illegal land deals within this City of Harare and this audit is a matter of public interest. In that regard CHRA as representatives of residents in Harare has resolved to publicly support the Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda in his bid to promote transparency.

The Association distances itself from individuals who purport to support residents as a smoke screen to cover corrupt practices within our local authorities. The residents of Harare would like to point out that the is no level of transparency that runs deeper than the setting up of an independent commission looking into illegal land deals that have since deprived that majority of the poor section in our society.

Councilor Nyachowe needs to realize that he is not an elected official neither does he account to any constituency or ward; he is one person who was smuggled into Council through the backdoor by Minister Chombo. His action depicts a clear payback plan which has now triggered speculation over the basis of his appointment; Whether he was put in Council to protect those that loot public assets?

But who is Nyachowe? He was elected Special Interest councilor by Minister Chombo despite the fact that he was not fit for public office because he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment by a Harare Magistrate in 1995. Further to that he was also convicted of public violence in 2003 and received a suspended jail term as a result. Appointed Councilors should actually augment the work of elected Councilors

Nyachowe has suggested that the tribunal be set by the Ministry of Local Government Rural and Urban Development in liaison with the C.O.H. This defeats the independence of the whole process and will result in a conflict of interest on the part of the Minister, Dr Chombo who cannot set up a tribunal to investigate himself. There is need to move away from such practice where the Minister is responsible for making decisions on issues that he has vested interests in. Actually, this has been the sole reason for his accumulation of wealth because he has a role to play in all land distribution processes nationally, allocating himself and his shelf companies land.

Harare residents are solidly rallying behind the second round of the land audit. Mayor Muchadei Masunda must know that if that process stalls because of any interference by those accused, we will not hesitate to approach the courts of law seeking justice. Justice delayed is justice denied, we want the land audit to be finalized and those implicated being brought to book. CHRA remains committed to Good Local Governance practiced on a non partisan basis.

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