Zim Now Writer
Government is working on modalities for the setting up and operationalisation of Municipal Courts, according to Cabinet.
This comes as local authorities across the country have been pushing for more powers that would allow them to effectively deal with the lawlessness in their different areas of jurisdiction.
During a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said the government was reviewing the legislation for the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Municipal Police to work together.
“Devolution funds will be availed to the Harare City Council and other urban municipalities for the purpose of strengthening the local authorities’ law enforcement capacity. Meanwhile, the relevant legislation is being reviewed for the ZRP and Municipal Police to work together more efficiently, and for the establishment of Municipal Courts,” said Muswere.
The Minister also gave an update on cases involving land barons, saying 347 suspected land barons had since been arrested, with six convictions so far.
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He said 91 cases are before the courts, while 57 have since been finalised.
Land barons have of late been wreaking havoc in local authorities across the country, fleecing citizens of their hard-earned cash in dodgy land deals.
Muswere also added that significant progress had been registered in the Mapping of Settlements against Approved Layout Plans and the Zimbabwe Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) had mapped settlements at Caledonia, Hopley, Saturday Retreat, Cowdray Park, Retreat Farm, Gimboki (Mutare) and Karoi.
ZINGSA has further mapped settlements at Eyecourt, Eyerstone, Chizororo, Derbyshire and Granville, according to Muswere.
“The next stage involves verification of settlements to determine those which conform to planned land-use in order to allow for regularisation, followed by issuance of title deeds. … it will be recalled that focus has been on addressing infrastructure provision on an initial 16 Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle settlements identified countrywide.
He said this included works at the Lupane Local Board Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle site and engineering designs for onsite infrastructure such as sewer and roads at the Gwanda Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle site.
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