Housing developer arrested over alleged $4.7m Beitbridge stands scandal

BEITBRIDGE — The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Alpha Housing Development (Private) Limited director Jonathan Gapare over allegations he unlawfully sold 632 residential stands, prejudicing the Municipality of Beitbridge of US$4.74 million in potential revenue.

ZACC said the case dates to July 2015, when the then-Beitbridge Town Council allocated undeveloped land in high-density suburbs to Alpha Housing Development to prepare a layout plan and develop low-cost housing.

The council and Alpha signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2015 under which the company was to service 600 stands with roads, sewer and water infrastructure and construct 500 low-cost houses for sale to home seekers as compensation for developing the land.

Under the agreement, Alpha was also expected to hand over 40 low-cost houses and 60 serviced stands to the council.

Investigators allege that although Alpha was authorized to develop 600 stands under the 1,132-stand Dulibadzimu West layout, Gapare and his company sold an additional 605 stands, including land earmarked for the 40 houses and 60 council stands.

The municipality later demanded the company surrender the properties, but ZACC alleges it failed to comply.

In September 2023, the municipality obtained a court order barring Alpha from selling, developing or offering stands under the layout without its consent.

ZACC alleges Alpha subsequently sold another 527 residential stands valued at about $3.99 million despite the court order.

The commission said the transactions brought the number of stands allegedly sold outside the agreement to 632 and resulted in a total loss of $4.74 million to the municipality. ZACC said nothing has been recovered.

Gapare and Alpha Housing Development, represented by Zivanai Vhimisai, were arrested Wednesday and appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba.

They were granted $400 bail and remanded to Oct. 16.

Willbrought Muleya represented the state.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

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