Harare– St Mary’s legislator, has launched a fierce defence against a recent Herald story alleging he threatened a resident, claiming the report is a deliberate smear tactic aimed at derailing their efforts to protect municipal land from illegal occupation and construction.

Brighton Mazhindu, in a detailed statement released today, asserts the Herald story stems from a complaint lodged by Lovemore Chogugudza, an individual the MP identifies as illegally building a “beautiful house” on land designated for the Municipal Crèche in the boundary area of Wards 1 and 3 in St Mary’s.

Mazhindu states the sequence began in late May 2025 when they received a call from an anonymous resident reporting construction on the Crèche land, which was reportedly halted by the previous council (2018-2023).

 The MP told this publication that in response to the report, he contacted Ward 1 Councillor, who claimed no knowledge and promised to involve the local authority‘s Development Control department.

He revealed that he also contacted Ward 3 Councillor, identified as Chabuka, who admitted knowing about the developments but had taken no action. Mazhindu encouraged him to seek council clarity and halt construction.

“ I also contacted the Acting Town Clerk, Japson Nemuseso after further resident complaints. Nemuseso reportedly stated no stands existed there, and claimed “stop development notices” had been issued, and promised to send a grader to demolish structures.

I later learnt that the grader only reached Giant Service Corner at Hombarume/ Chaminuka, not the Crèche site, and illegal sewer connections were made.”

Upon returning to Harare, Mazhindu, citing ongoing CDF projects, directed their committee secretary, Mr. Chinhengo, to explore erecting a perimeter wall around the crèche. 

Visiting the site with contractors to measure, they encountered builders and a near-complete structure. 

Mazhindu alleges Chogugudza, claiming ownership, refused them access, accusing them of trespassing.

Mazhindu directly links Chogugudza’s subsequent complaint to council officials to the published story.

Mazhindu escalated the matter to the Harare Provincial Government and Devolution, feeling the council failed to protect its property. 

“Why is Council encouraging residents to buy title deeds yet its properties do not have?” Mazhindu questioned, highlighting a fundamental inconsistency in council policy.

Mazhindu demanded clarity on whether the council’s position regarding the illegal development on the crèche stand has changed since the ineffective stop order. 

Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest) director Alice Kuvheya said it is disheartening that land barons continue their illegal activities parcelled out land earmarked for public amenities and they are now more powerful disregarding even the local laws including court orders.

Said Kuvheya:

It’s not possible to have order in Chitungwiza. The police, local authorities and residents should work together and stop the land barons menace. They are scarying everyone and its time that we all come together and stop them.” 

Kuvheya queried their power posing an unanswered question: 

“Who is behind these land barons who are now controlling Chitungwiza?”

Efforts to get a comment from the Acting Town Clerk Nemuseso were futile as he did not respond to calls or a WhatsApp message sent to him.