Fairview Consortium, a construction company contracted to build 42 cluster houses in Harare, has failed to deliver the project despite receiving full payment of US$9.7 million from the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), sparking outrage and allegations of corruption.
The scandal, exposed in Parliament by Kuwadzana East MP Charlton Hwende, has raised serious questions about accountability in government-funded projects.
According to Hwende, Fairview Consortium was paid US$9,700,881 to construct the housing units under a government scheme aimed at addressing Zimbabwe’s housing crisis. Years later, the project site remains abandoned, with no houses built. “How does a company get fully paid for a job not done? Who authorised this payment without delivery?” Hwende demanded in Parliament, calling for a forensic audit and criminal investigations.
Investigations reveal Fairview Consortium has a history of incomplete projects yet continues to secure government tenders. The IDBZ, which disbursed the funds, claims it followed procedure but acknowledged “delays in implementation.”
The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities has remained silent, offering no comment on whether Fairview will be blacklisted or required to refund the money.
The scandal exacerbates Zimbabwe’s housing crisis, with over 1.2 million people on waiting lists for homes. Public frustration is mounting, with taxpayers demanding answers about the missing US$9.7 million.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has yet to announce any investigation, fuelling suspicions of a cover-up.
Hwende has vowed to pursue criminal charges against Fairview Consortium’s directors and push for the recovery of funds. Calls are growing for stricter tender regulations to prevent similar incidents.
The scandal underscores systemic issues in Zimbabwe’s public project management, putting pressure on the government to address fraud and restore public trust.
