BY SILISIWE MABALEKA A chief in Matabeleland North’s Nyamandlovu area has been accused of conniving with police officers at Nyamandlovu police station in the illegal sale of communal land in the area.
Villagers claimed that Chief Asher Mabhena was in the habit of grabbing their communal land, and selling it to cronies, relatives and friends.
“Nkomo and (one Sergeant) Hakurotwi use their police authority and influence to get communal stands from the chief and the village heads,” villagers claimed.
“Hakurotwi got a stand at Redleaf and without even clearing the land, sold the stand for US$1000 to one Ndlovu a villager and the affidavits were commissioned by the then police member in charge Inspector Nkomo.”
The villagers claimed that Hakurotwi has several other stands in his name that have been put on sale.
“Hakurotwi openly declares that he is linked to the whole district command hence nothing can be done to him,” they lamented.
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Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the law enforcement agency will investigate the matter when contacted for comment.
“The villagers should report such cases to the officer in charge,” Nyathi said.
“If that fails they should tell the officer commanding the district and if there is no success they can approach the Commissioner general of the police who will investigate.
“However, we will investigate and find out what is happening there.”
Chief Mabhena professed ignorance over the matter when contacted for comment.
“We spoke to the village heads on behalf of the officers for them (police) to have stands in our area,” Mabhena said.
“However, I am not aware that they are selling the stands.”