Honourable Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, has issued a stern warning against land barons and individuals involved in illegal land allocations, commonly known as “sabhuku deals,” saying government will not tolerate practices that undermine orderly urban development and service delivery.
Addressing local authority officials during the Local Authorities Performance Evaluation Feedback Session in Harare, Garwe said illegal land sales have become a major obstacle to sustainable development, resulting in the proliferation of unplanned settlements that lack basic infrastructure and essential services.
The Minister said government is determined to restore order in land administration and ensure that all land allocations are conducted in accordance with approved spatial plans, local development plans and existing laws.
“We cannot achieve Vision 2030 through disorderly settlements created by land barons and illegal land allocations. Every development must be guided by approved plans and legal processes,” said Garwe.
He warned that traditional leaders, local authority officials and private individuals found facilitating illegal land transactions would face disciplinary and legal action.
Garwe noted that many home seekers continue to fall victim to fraudulent land schemes, often purchasing stands on land that has not been properly planned or serviced.
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The result, he said, has been the emergence of communities without roads, water reticulation systems, sewer infrastructure, schools, health facilities and other basic amenities.
The Minister said local authorities must strengthen development control mechanisms and municipal policing to curb illegal settlements and enforce compliance with planning regulations.
His remarks come as government intensifies efforts to improve service delivery and ensure orderly urbanisation across the country. Authorities have increasingly linked the growth of informal settlements to recurring challenges such as sewer bursts, water shortages, poor waste management and the high costs associated with regularising illegal developments.
Garwe urged prospective land buyers to verify the legitimacy of land transactions through local authorities and relevant government departments before making payments.
The warning forms part of broader government efforts to promote accountability in land administration, protect citizens from land fraud and ensure that all developments support the country’s development agenda.
As government pushes local authorities to meet minimum service delivery standards and align others national development goals, the Minister said there would be no room for land barons and other actors whose activities compromise planned growth and the delivery of essential services to communities.