Zimbabwe: Chombo, Karimanzira at each others throats (Houses given to cronies, officials paid off)

The officials which include the chairperson of the commission responsible for running the affairs of Harare City, Sekesai Makwavarara, deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mugabe's Nephew and Manyame Member of Parliament, Patrick Zhuwao and Harare governor, David Karimanzira are being accused of dolling out houses and stands to authorised people.

Amongst the people that illegally benefited include Zhuwao and Karimanzira’s secretaries, who are already staying there. Local Government Minister, Ignatius Chombo has written to the Ministry of Homes Affairs seeking assistance to force Karimanzira to release the confidential ‘document’ containing the names of people who were dubiously allocated houses and stands.

However, the war between Chombo and Karimanzira is said to be deepening each day, following revelations that the latter is clinging with the document as a way of scuttling the investigations.

Chombo through his Secretary, Partson I. Mbiriri has since written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene by investigating and force Karimanzira to release the confidential ‘records’ containing the names of people who illegally benefited from the housing scheme.

In a letter dated 28 November 2006, with reference number PWD/110/05, under the subject ‘Alleged Corruption in the Allocation of stands at Whitecliffe’ Mbiriri wrote: "In July 2006 the Anti-Corruption Ministry in conjunction with the Police undertook an investigation on alleged corruption in allocating houses constructed under Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle at Whitecliffe.

"Existing documents on allocation of stands at Whitecliffe were taken by the investigating officers in the process and have since not been returned. What this means is that the Ministry can not proceed with the programme until records are returned to the Police.

At the same time, we can not attend to the allegations with a view of correcting the malpractices without the initial records."

Highly placed sources within the governor’s office told ZimDaily that an investigating officer by the name Chitsike of the Anti-Corruption Ministry and Rusere of Harare Central Police Station has been paid handsomely by Karimanzira to scuttle the release of the records.

Mbiriri advised the Home Affairs that they could not do anything because of the duo were reluctant to release the papers saying they (officers) would only do so after they have concluded their investigations.

"Meanwhile, we have received reports of people who are illegally occupying the houses and it is not possible for officers to identify the illegal occupants without the original record. If this is left to continue unchecked, it will be very difficult for the Ministry to evict the illegal occupants.

"It is our sincere request through your office that we should be given back these records so that we can attend to the allegations and continue with the project. Alternatively, we could be availed copies of the records toi enable us to resume work," wrote Mbiriri.

Despite spirited efforts to get the said records, Karimanzira is alleged to be resisting the directives, as releasing them would be a sign of admittance for the alleged corruption.

On 13 December 2006, the Home Affairs Secretary, a M Matshiya then wrote a letter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) commissioner, Augustine Chihuri instructing him to force Karimanzira to release the records for investigations.

A copy of the letter dated 13 December, 2006 in possession of ZimDaily…headlined ‘Alleged Corruption in the allocation of stands at Whitecliffe’ read: "Herewith, please find an appeal (minute, PWD 110/5 dated 28 November 2006) from the Secretary of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, requiring your intervention.

"In order to avert complications it is suggested that copies of the requested records be availed to them, to allow the envisaged verifications in order to thwart illegal occupations."

The deprived people, most of whom are civil servants, are reportedly up in arms over the issue and have sought audience with various high offices in government.

At one time the people, numbering thundreds, have besieged the offices of Zhuwao, Zanu PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa and the party’s chairperson for Harare province, Amos Midzi over the matter.

More than 300 houses were allocated to undeserving people upon payment of $15 million, under the expense of intended beneficiaries, whose names appeared in the press and were issued offer letters after paying a registration fee last year.

Whitecliffe settlement is situated about 25 kilometres outside the capital along Bulawayo Road and is one failed government projects set up last year to provide accommodation to people who were displaced Operation Murambatsvina in May 2005.

Vice President Joseph Msika at one time took a swipe at corrupt ZANU PF officials who have enriched themselves instead of giving first prioritised to families affected by the operation.

Last week Zhuwawo, Karimanzira and Makwavarara denied to give statements to the new police officer, which later prompted the court to stop briefly until they provide the court with statements on the Whitecliffe saga.

Paul Mangwana, who is in charge of the Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies portfolio, said he was not sure whether he had heard about the matter, but said he would investigate.

He said: "I have handled so many cases recently and I cannot remember whether I have seen it or not. Maybe it was reported straight to the Anti-Corruption Commission. But I would want the whistleblowers to come to me so that we can investigate."