The Chiyangwa Connection: Intimidation and Corruption.

By Ilyana Sithole and Dr Masimba Mavaza

The Harare City Council Commission of Inquiry continues to unearth a web of incompetence and potential corruption. The latest testimony from Nicholas Mandeya, co-director of JC Delonics, paints a picture of bureaucratic bungling and intimidation tactics, leaving residents questioning who truly controls the city. The testimony of Mandeya, has exposed a council that is mired in corruption and disregard for the law.

Mandeya, a resident of Hellensvale and co-owner of a business in Alexandra Park, recounted his company’s nightmarish experience with the council. JC Delonics followed all due process, securing a lease for a vacant piece of land adjacent to their property. They invested over US$200,000, confident they were expanding legally. Seven days later, the lease at a property along Churchill in Alexandra Park was canceled.

Then came the bombshell: the council revoked the lease, claiming the land belonged to Pinnacle Properties, owned by Phillip Chiyangwa. This “mistake” by the council cost JC Delonics dearly, leaving 75% completed development work in limbo. Although Council claimed the land belonged to Pinnacle Properties, investigations revealed a web of deceit and corruption.

Council officials, including Mazvimba, Chawatama, and Nyabeza, colluded with Chiyangwa to intimidate and harass JC Delonics, forcing them to abandon their investment. This brazen act of corruption has left the company with significant losses and raises serious questions about council’s accountability.

The commission must take action to hold those responsible accountable. Mandeya’s testimony raises troubling questions:
* Incompetence or Malice? Was the council truly oblivious to land ownership, or was this a deliberate error aimed at benefiting Chiyangwa? The lack of proper surveying and allocation procedures points toward a dysfunctional system, ripe for manipulation.
* Intimidation Tactics? Mandeya alleges Chiyangwa, with the apparent support of specific council officials, harassed and intimidated his company, including his Chinese partners. This strong-arming tactic raises concerns about the council’s role in facilitating, or at least not preventing, such behavior.
* Who Guards the Guardians? The alleged “connivance” between council officials and Chiyangwa suggests a culture of impunity. This lack of accountability leaves residents wondering who truly protects their interests.

The inquiry must delve deeper.
* A thorough investigation is needed to determine if this was a genuine error or a calculated scheme to favor Chiyangwa.
* Council officials mentioned by Mandeya must be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Did they act negligently or were they complicit in a land grab?
* The council’s land management practices need a complete overhaul. A transparent and efficient system is essential to prevent similar situations and protect residents’ investments.

Harare residents deserve better. This is not just about a single business; it’s about the erosion of trust and the potential loss of millions of dollars in investments. The commission must ensure the council becomes a facilitator of development, not a stumbling block. Until then, residents remain wary, unsure who truly controls their city.