Published: 26 July 2017

The Government is working round the clock to catch tax evaders including land barons, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has said.

Speaking at the handover of residential stands to beneficiaries by the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe, MinisterChinamasa said opulent houses sprouting in most urban centres around the country was a clear sign that there is no shortage of money in the country.

"Only Treasury does not have money. There is no shortage of money in this country; we are trying to find the loopholes that make money come into your pockets without passing through our pockets as the fiscus. We are going to follow these land barons, through lifestyle audits we should be able to make them pay which should come to us," he said.

The minister said all land in the country belongs to the Government and all developers need state authority to put up structures or risk them bulldozed down, adding that there is also need to restore discipline in the economy for it to be successfully turned around.

"We should not have a hyperinflation mentality of wanting to make it big without doing anything," he said.

Turning to the Clipsham Heights stands developed by IDBZ jointly with Gorge Safaris and George Holdings, Minister Chinamasa said Zimbabwe faces major  housing challenges due to rapid urbanisation, a common feature in most  African countries.

"New, targeted approaches to affordable housing are necessary for the Government to take advantage of the demographic shift to make cities inclusive, spur economic growth and expand job opportunities for all citizens," he said.

"With that in mind, the Government has committed to do more to develop the property and real estate sector, both to provide new and affordable housing and to encourage an industry that provides significant demand for building materials and has the potential to generate massive employment opportunities."

Apart from the immediate and obvious benefits of adequate housing, a well-functioning housing sector has some multiplier effects, upstream and downstream benefits and leads to economic growth that can improve livelihoods, create jobs and expand the market or demand for other goods and services required by new communities created out of these projects.

- New Ziana.

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