Two officials in court over land scam

Nyore Madzianike-Senior Court Reporter

Deputy director Valuation and State Management in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Settlement Joyce Pazvakavambwa, who is facing fresh charges of granting title deeds to land worth nearly US$4 million in northern Harare without the necessary conditions or authority, was yesterday freed on $30 000 bail.

Pazvakavambwa, who is appearing in the same court for allegedly facilitating the sale of a low density residential stand in Harare to a then eight-year-old for US$65 in 2008, jointly appeared with Lazarus Chimba on criminal abuse of office charges.

Chimba was the deputy director, valuation and estate management in the Ministry of Local Government in 2008, when the offence was allegedly committed. He was also released on $30 000 bail.

The duo was not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje who remanded them to…