Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) have called Chiredzi Town and Chiredzi Rural Councils to terminate the land development contract with Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI) after it allegedly breached the memorandum of understanding by selling stands to desperate land seekers without prior knowledge of the land ‘owners.
FLOAAI did the feasibility study for the 750 Hectares on the remainder of Buffalo Range which is meant for urban expansion and was mandated to develop 350 ha phase 1 and hand it over to Chiredzi Town and Rural District Councils, who are currently in the Joint Venture on the piece of land.
The developer allegedly seized the whole project and began selling land to desperate home seekers including Teachers under the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) banner who were recently shown stands however without proper documentation to prove ownership.
In a letter dated June 6, 2023, CHIRRA wrote to the Joint Venture committee, comprising of technocrats and councilors from both the councils, requesting them to terminate the land development contract with FLOAAI for breaching the contents of the Memorandum of understanding which was signed in 2020.
“We are kindly requesting and urging you, the Joint Venture Committee with the powers invested in you to terminate the land development agreement between the land owners, CTC and CDRC and the developer, Full Life Open Arms Africa Investment private limited signed on Thursday 16th of April 2020.
“The developer started selling unserviced and underdeveloped stands in 2021 to corporate companies, teachers in all seven districts of Masvingo Province, and to Chiredzi Residents at US$20.60 per square meter. Residential, industrial, commercial and institutions which is against the land development agreement on clause 1. And in the land development agreement there is no Clause that allows or permits the developer to sell stands be it serviced or unserviced. Also, it is illegal to sell unserviced land in terms of Regional Town Planning and Country planning Act Section 39,” reads part of the letter.
This was necessitated by both councils resolving to stop FLOAAI from selling the land, which is their sole prerogative role.
Chiredzi Rural District Council, on the 16th of May 2023 resolved to stop FLOAAI from selling stands.
“That the joint venture committee stops Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments from selling stands at the 750Ha remainder of Buffalo Range Housing Scheme with immediate effect.
“That Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments be asked to bring a report to account for the stands they sold at the 750Ha remainder of Buffalo Range, to the joint venture committee and failure to do so, the two local authorities should terminate their contract,” reads the minutes.
Chiredzi Town Council’s 35th Ordinary Full council meeting also resolved to stop FLOAAI from selling the stands.
“Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (PVT) Ltd (FLOAAI) must stop forthwith from disposing stands without seeking authority from both councils through the 750-ha 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 750hs housing scheme MOU,” read the resolution.
“Furthermore, FLOAAI (Pvt) Limited is urged to complete servicing of 350hs phase 1 project and handover the serviced project to both councils before sharing and sale thereof,” reads the minutes.
CHIRRA also filed a High Court interdict to stop the activities of FLOAAI.
