Government and ruling Zanu PF officials have come under scrutiny after allegations emerged that land earmarked for the expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (RGM) was being illegally sold to unsuspecting buyers, with Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s name reportedly cited by land brokers to lend credibility to the deals.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Tafadzwa Muguti, Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, revealed that individuals involved in the illegal transactions were falsely claiming the backing of top government leaders, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, and VP Mohadi himself.
“As of last month, land barons had illegally occupied more than 140 sites across Harare, including areas within the RGM International Airport expansion zone,” Muguti said. “The President and government will not stand by while people enrich themselves using the names of our principals. This is no longer a civil matter — it is a criminal and security issue.”
Muguti issued a stark warning that no official would be exempt from investigation, regardless of rank or affiliation.
“We do not care what position you hold in the party or government. If you are abusing office and the names of the President and Vice-Presidents to grab land, pack your things and vacate immediately. We will deal with it decisively,” he added.
VP Mohadi Implicated in Controversial Land Grab Allegations
The accusations come shortly after reports surfaced that Tongai Mnangagwa, the President’s son and Tourism and Hospitality Deputy Minister, sought to regularise the occupation of his supporters on land set aside for the airport’s expansion. In a letter dated July 2, 2025, addressed to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), Tongai requested that settlements within the airport’s “yellow zone” be sanctioned, igniting renewed debate about preferential treatment and misuse of authority.
Observers have noted that the situation evokes memories of 2015, when the late former President Robert Mugabe ordered the demolition of houses constructed by the Nyikavanhu Housing Cooperative near the airport. At the time, Mugabe cited security concerns and the obstruction of airport development as the rationale, describing the structures as an eyesore.
Muguti also accused senior Zanu PF members and government officials of abusing party logos to produce letters authorising land grabs, often demanding payments from desperate home seekers and businesses.
“This habit of pegging land and lying that the government has stopped demolitions must end,” Muguti said. “The Presidential Title Deeds Programme is not a certificate of authenticity for criminals. Land is not bought like sweets on the road.”
According to Muguti, these practices have fostered an environment where unscrupulous individuals exploit the perceived authority of top officials to manipulate ordinary citizens, creating widespread confusion and perpetuating illegal settlements.
Despite repeated audits over the years aimed at exposing unlawful land allocations in urban areas, the government has largely kept findings from the public eye. As a result, illegal settlements linked to influential land brokers remain widespread across Harare, with demolitions carried out by municipal authorities failing to offer permanent solutions.
Residents and civil society groups have expressed frustration over the persistent abuse of power in urban land allocations. Many argue that while the government issues directives to prevent illegal occupation, enforcement remains inconsistent, allowing influential figures to skirt rules with impunity.
“It is disheartening to see that even when laws exist, powerful people find ways to bend the rules. Ordinary citizens are left vulnerable, paying bribes or losing their investments to these land barons,” said one civic activist.
The airport expansion, critical for Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and economic development, is particularly sensitive, as irregular settlements within the project zone could pose security, logistical, and environmental challenges.
Authorities have pledged to clamp down on illegal land sales, warning that anyone found exploiting the names of government leaders will face criminal prosecution. Officials have also emphasised that legitimate land allocation must go through official channels and comply with all regulatory and legal frameworks.
“We are committed to ensuring that the integrity of government projects and public trust is maintained. Anyone found misleading citizens or illegally occupying state land will face the full force of the law,” Muguti stressed.
As the investigation unfolds, Vice-President Mohadi’s alleged involvement has sparked debate over the accountability of top officials in land-related controversies. While no formal charges have been levelled against him, the spotlight on his name underscores the growing public demand for transparency and strict enforcement of land laws.
Civil society groups and legal experts are calling for comprehensive measures to address Zimbabwe’s urban land crisis, including public disclosure of land allocations, stricter monitoring of government-sanctioned projects, and prosecution of offenders regardless of rank.
Without decisive intervention, experts warn that illegal land activities will continue to threaten urban planning, infrastructure development, and public confidence in government institutions.
Source- ZimEye
