Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-More than 2000 Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI) land applicants are facing a massive loss after both Chiredzi Town and Rural District Councils stopped FLOAAI from selling stands, ordering for complete servicing of 350 hectares agreed on, handing the stands over to the two local authorities before sharing and sale.
FLOAAI did a feasibility study for the 750 hectares on the remainder of Buffalo Range meant for urban expansion and was mandated to develop 350ha phase 1 and hand it over to Chiredzi Town and Rural District Councils, who are currently on a joint venture on the piece of land.
FLOAAI Director, Pastor Godfrey Nelson Madanyaya had allegedly seized the project and had been selling stands to desperate land seekers in Chiredzi while threatening the councils by name dropping President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name as well as Minister July Moyo to be the owners of the project, while allegedly defrauding people.
Madanyaya, whose list had accrued to more than 1000 people as well as Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) affiliates, had been selling stands at the cost of US$20.61 per m2, with one supposed to deposit US$1500 and pay the remaining balance in instalments over a period of four years. A non-refundable fee of US$50 was requested in order to open a file with FLOAAI.
Recently, ZIMTA affiliates were physically shown their stands, which they had been directly contributing to FLOAAI through the Salary Services Bureau (SSB) but were never given offer letters to indicate ownership of the stands.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) filed a High Court Interdict to stop the activities of FLOAAI, with Chiredzi RDC having initiated a process to terminate their MOU with FLOAAI. Chiredzi Town Council also resolved to stop the selling and complete servicing of the 350ha as agreed.
CHIRRA also petitioned the Parliament of Zimbabwe to investigate the corrupt practices of land barons on 750 hectares of land allocated to Chiredzi Town and RDC.
The 35th ordinary Full council meeting that was chaired by Chiredzi Town Council Deputy Chairperson, Ropafadzo Makumire resolved that disposing of stands be halted.
“Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (PVT) Ltd (FLOAAI) must stop forthwith from disposing stands without seeking authority from both councils through the 750ha Housing Scheme Joint Committee. Stands should be disposed after issuance of certificate of compliance and in agreement with the stand distribution amongst parts as stated in 750ha housing scheme MOU,” read the resolution
“Furthermore, FLOAAI (Pvt) Limited is urged to complete servicing of 350 ha phase 1 project and handover the serviced project to both councils before sharing and sale thereof,” the minutes read.
