Political Correspondent
HARARE – A major property dispute has erupted in Mbare after a company owned by a known Zanu PF benefactor, Blessed Charakupa of JB Family, was accused of illegally occupying and demolishing a City of Harare vocational training centre.
The property, which was previously a vocational training and rehabilitation facility, had been legally leased to another entity, Public Hygienic Eye, under a council-led urban renewal initiative to renovate derelict buildings.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed that JB Family has no lease agreement with the city and issued a stern warning against unauthorized occupation.
“We have heard from the local councillor that the said property has been legally leased to someone not the one named JB Family,” Mayor Mafume stated. “If there are space barons who rushed to occupy the same property in question… relevant departments will take all necessary steps to remove anything erected illegally.”
He emphasized that the council’s development plan for the site was part of a public-private partnership aimed at urban renewal.
Ward Councillor Bornface Maburutse corroborated the mayor’s account, confirming that Public Hygienic Eye holds the legitimate lease and has contractual obligations to develop vocational centres in both Mbare and Budiriro.
“We were surprised that some space barons just allocated themselves [space] at the area without engagement,” said Clr. Maburutse. “This is unheard of and as responsible authorities, we will legally fight against land baronism and make sure the rightfully-leased entity occupies the place.”
Despite the council’s position, JB Family has already demolished the existing structures and constructed a series of tuckshops on the land. This action has sparked outrage among local residents, who have lost a community asset, and raised serious questions about illegal land acquisitions and zoning violations.
The Harare City Council has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged land grab and the destruction of the municipal property.
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