MNANGAGWA breaks down in tears before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing

Harare South legislator, Tongai Mnangagwa broke down in parliament this morning as he narrated how the government has left land seekers at the mercy of land barons.

Narrating to the situation in his constituency before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing today, the legislator could not hold back his tears.

He said people are fleeced of their earnings by land barons operating with impunity in his constituency, adding that fights, some of which leave some home seekers in hospital, have become commonplace as a result of the irregular land allocations.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo said his ministry has its hands full as it battles to clean the mess created by irregular land allocations.

He admitted to the parliamentary portfolio committee that double allocation of stands by officials from his ministry, the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP), local authorities and councillors has reached alarming levels.

He said similar challenges are being faced where some stands are being irregularly downsized, resulting in some people losing infrastructure they would have invested on their stands.

Buhera South legislator, Joseph Chinotimba said to deal with the problem effectively, the government must first acknowledge the extent of the rot in the sector.

Meanwhile, Moyo said the construction of the new parliament building in Mt Hampden will commence with a ceremony of the laying of a foundation for the building on Friday 30 November.