By Staff Reporter
ZANU PF Epworth South Member of Parliament Mbofana Mutana Taedzwa has been dragged into a deepening land corruption scandal after allegedly defrauding the Epworth Local Board of more than US$48,000, while controversially claiming the commercial stands in question were later “gifted” to him by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
At the centre of the controversy are two commercial stands — Stand 3656 and Stand 3659 — measuring a combined 6,000 square metres, which Taedzwa reportedly agreed to purchase from the Epworth Local Board for US$52,757.
However, documents said to be in the possession of investigators allegedly show that the legislator paid only US$4,600, leaving a massive balance unpaid. Despite this, Taedzwa is now reportedly refusing to settle the outstanding amount, arguing that the land was subsequently awarded to him under the Presidential Title Deeds Programme in recognition of his political service.
The claim has raised alarm bells among governance watchdogs and residents, who accuse the MP of name-dropping the President to evade accountability and intimidate local authorities.
Sources within the Epworth Local Board allege that efforts to recover the outstanding balance have been met with threats, intimidation and political pressure, creating a climate of fear within the council.
“If anyone insists that he must pay, they risk persecution. People are genuinely afraid,” said a senior council official who requested anonymity.
In a worrying development, one councillor who allegedly pushed for accountability was reportedly arrested on what colleagues describe as trumped-up charges, only to be later acquitted, fuelling claims of abuse of power to silence dissent.
Taedzwa has flatly denied the allegations, insisting that he fully paid for the stands and accusing council officials of jealousy and political sabotage.
“This is pure politicking. I paid for the stands in full and I have my receipts. The Epworth Local Board is simply envious of the development work I am doing in the community,” he said.
However, the MP declined to produce the alleged receipts, dismissing them as private records a response that has further deepened suspicion among residents and transparency advocates.
The scandal has also cast a shadow over the Presidential Title Deeds Programme, with critics questioning whether it is being abused by politically connected elites to legitimise questionable land acquisitions.
Governance experts warn that invoking the President’s name in unresolved commercial transactions not only undermines the rule of law, but also drags the Office of the President into local corruption disputes, potentially eroding public trust.
Residents say the alleged non-payment has deprived Epworth of much-needed development revenue, at a time when the local authority struggles to provide basic services.
“This money could have gone to roads, water, clinics and schools. Instead, it is being swallowed by political impunity,” said one community activist.
