Land developer illegally sells 632 residential stands in Beitbridge

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of the director of Alpha Housing Development, Jonathan Gapare, for allegedly selling 632 residential stands that did not belong to him and prejudicing the Municipality of Beitbridge of US$4.74 million.

Gapare was arrested on Thursday, 24 September, together with his company, which was represented in court by Zivanai Vhimisai.

The two appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba and were remanded to 16 October 2026 on US$400 bail. Willbrought Muleya represented the State.

According to ZACC, the case dates back to July 2015, when Beitbridge Town Council resolved to allocate virgin land in the high-density suburbs to Alpha Housing Development to produce a layout plan and develop low-cost houses.

In November 2015, the council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the developer. Under the deal, Alpha was to service 600 stands with roads, sewer and water and develop 500 low-cost houses, which it would sell to home seekers as payment for developing the land.

From those 600 stands, the company was expected to hand over to council 40 completed low-cost houses and 60 serviced stands for commonage to be remitted to the Ministry of Local Government.

Investigations established that in 2016, the Department of Spatial Planning for Matabeleland South prepared and approved layout plan GE98 for Dulibadzimu West in Beitbridge, with 1,132 residential stands. Alpha was supposed to develop only 600 stands from that layout.

ZACC alleges that Gapare and his company instead unlawfully and intentionally sold 605 residential stands on the entrusted land, including stands that had been earmarked for the 40 houses and the 60 commonage stands. The proceeds were allegedly converted to personal use.

After discovering the breach, the municipality, through Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola, demanded the handover of the 40 houses, the 60 serviced stands and five stands that had been sold outside the agreement. The accused allegedly failed to comply.

In September 2023, the municipality approached the court seeking an order barring Alpha from selling, developing or offering for sale any stands under layout GE98 without council consent. The order was granted.

Despite the court order, Alpha allegedly proceeded to sell a further 527 residential stands valued at US$3.99 million, bringing the total number of excess stands sold to 632.

The council again demanded the handover of the 40 houses, 60 commonage stands and 532 excess stands, or their equivalent value, but the company allegedly failed to comply.

As a result, ZACC says the municipality suffered actual prejudice of US$4.74 million, with nothing recovered.