Former Chegutu Town Planner in Court Over Alleged Land Fraud

Chegutu Municipality's former town planner has appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty for allegedly facilitating the illegal sale and subdivision of a public recreational park into a commercial stand without required ministerial approval. He was arrested by the anti-corruption commission and granted US$200 bail.

Chegutu Municipality’s town planner, Douglas Chimhanda, has appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty after allegedly facilitating the illegal sale and subdivision of a public recreational park into a commercial stand without ministerial approval.

He appeared before the Chegutu Magistrate, Ms Sharon Mashavira, on Wednesday after being arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), accused of unlawfully converting Recreational Stand Number 229, Hartley Township, into a commercial property in violation of planning laws.

Prosecuting, Ms Abigail Fana told the court that the late Mr Edward Pfugari was granted a 99-year lease in 1994 to develop recreational facilities on the 12.3-hectare stand.

In 2010, negotiations began for Mr Pfugari to acquire part of the land for commercial use and the latter submitted a proposal to purchase a portion of the stand in exchange for improving the remaining recreational land.

Minutes of an Environmental Management Committee meeting on March 13, 2012, show that the accused acknowledged the need to change the land use from public park to commercial to allow for the construction of a shopping complex.

Despite this, on August 15, 2012, Chegutu Municipality approved the sale of a 5,1-hectare portion to Edddie Pfugari Properties (Pvt) Ltd for US$561 000, with an upfront deposit of US$ 50 000.

On November 22, 2012, an agreement of sale was signed with Flying Port (Pvt) Ltd, a company owned by Pfugari, for the newly created Commercial Stand 30542.

The accused allegedly signed the agreement as a witness, knowing the change of land use had not been approved.

Two days later, he allegedly submitted a subdivision proposal to L.A.S Chipuka Land Surveyors, creating the commercial stand without ministerial consent.

Investigations established that no application was made to the Provincial Planning Office or the Minister of Local Government, as required under Section 49 of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12).

The State alleges the accused acted contrary to his duties as a town planner by creating a commercial stand from a recreational public park, prejudicing the local authority.

He was granted bail of US$200, ordered not to interfere with witnesses, and to continue residing at Plot 202, Msasa Drive, Bushmead, Masvingo.

The matter was remanded to February 4, 2026. - Source -Herald