A storm is brewing in Marondera after the local council was exposed for parcelling out residential stands at Elmswood Farm without following due procedures, sparking outrage from residents, government and the legitimate landowner who accuses the municipality of daylight robbery.
Elmswood Farm has become a theatre of conflict involving Marondera council, home-seekers and war veteran John Fadzisayi Jani, the registered owner.
Despite the ownership wrangle being before the courts, at least 41 families have already been settled on the farm — a move many describe as reckless, illegal, and symptomatic of the rot that has long stalked local authorities.
Investigations by this publication revealed that Marondera council’s land allocations were done without approval from the Ministry of Local Government, in direct violation of statutory requirements meant to ensure orderly urban development.
Instead of following guidelines such as securing subdivision permits, preparing master plans and putting in place basic services, the council allegedly went on to “dish out” residential stands in opaque deals.
What now stands at Elmswood is far from a formal settlement.
Scattered cottages, hastily built by desperate families, resemble a squatter camp more than a planned neighbourhood.
Dusty roads snake through the land, but the council's claim in court papers that close to US$2 million has been spent on infrastructure rings hollow when compared to the reality on the ground.
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“This is pure abuse of office,” a senior government source in Marondera said.
“You cannot wake up and allocate stands without following procedure.
“Council officials know the law but chose to cut corners, most likely for personal benefit.”
Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe has already fired a warning shot at local authorities, declaring that the government will clamp down on rogue councils and land barons fuelling land chaos across the country.
Garwe’s remarks echo a broader national crisis where unregulated land allocations have left thousands of home seekers vulnerable, with some losing life savings after buying stands that later turned out to be illegal.
For Jani, the Elmswood scandal is more than just a dispute over land — it is a fight to protect his legal rights against what he calls “institutionalised theft” by the council.
“I own this farm lawfully and hold the offer letter,” Jani said in an interview.
“Council cannot just wake up and sell my land. It is criminal, and I will fight this until justice is done.
“Those who were duped into buying stands here are victims of a system that thrives on corruption.”
Jani has taken the matter to court, but with families already occupying the farm, the case has become increasingly complex, raising fears of possible forced evictions should the courts rule in his favour.
Caught between a rock and a hard place are home seekers who bought stands at Elmswood, many of whom invested life savings in the hope of securing a permanent home.
For them, council’s non-compliance is not just a technical issue — it is a matter of shattered dreams.
“We bought these stands in good faith,” said one resident who asked not to be named.
“Council assured us everything was above board. Now we hear that the land does not belong to them and that procedures were never followed. Where does this leave us?”
Another resident, visibly emotional, added: “All my money is in this house. If the courts say we must leave, I lose everything. Why should ordinary people suffer because of corrupt officials?”
Council insists that close to US$2 million has been pumped into road development at Elmswood.
However, a recent visit to the site tells a different story. What exist are rudimentary gravel paths, with no sign of proper grading, drainage, or paving.
“This figure of US$2 million is a phantom,” said a civic activist in Marondera.
“There is no evidence to show that such an amount was used here. It is another red flag suggesting mismanagement of funds, or worse, corruption at the highest level of council.”
Urban planners warn that the Elmswood debacle is part of a wider culture of non-compliance by local authorities across Zimbabwe.
By bypassing procedures, councils not only prejudice the government of revenue but also create settlements without proper services — leading to slums, environmental degradation, and disputes that often end in the courts.
“In the long run, it is the ordinary citizen who suffers,” said the Harare-based urban governance expert.
“Elmswood is symptomatic of councils operating as land barons. Until there is strict enforcement of compliance and accountability, such scandals will keep recurring.”
Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa yesterday said he could not comment as he was attending a funeral.
As the Elmswood storm rages, pressure is mounting on the Local Government ministry to act decisively.
Residents are calling for a forensic audit into Marondera council’s land dealings, while legal experts warn that ignoring the issue risks further undermining public trust in municipal governance.
For now, the families at Elmswood live in uncertainty, unsure whether their investments will stand or be swept away by a court order.
