Zanu PF MP Named in Corrupt Land Deals 

Pauline Chateuka

Harare – The Harare South lawmaker, Trymore Kanopula, has been implicated in corrupt deals in his constituency.

The Zanu PF legislator—who is popularly known as TK—is being accused of participating in questionable dealings linked to the Simon Muzenda Housing Cooperative.

Reports of the alleged involvement of Kanopula in the disputes emerged after disgruntled residents approached our news crew following the publication of other controversial land deals in rural Seke involving the Manyame Rural District Council and another ruling Zanu PF lawmaker, Innocent Benza.

Formed in 2012, Simon Muzenda Housing Cooperative aimed to develop 400 stands and provide essential infrastructure such as schools, clinics, and recreational spaces in the constituency.

However, poor governance, lack of transparency, and persistent internal conflicts have significantly derailed progress.

Subsequently, over 600 stands—including those reserved for public amenities—were sold by cooperative members under opaque circumstances, with revenue being diverted by individuals.

Housing cooperatives such as Simon Muzenda have over the last two decades attracted thousands of desperate home seekers, drawn by promises of affordable housing and stands.

Home-seekers have reported stalled development, lack of transparency and financial irregularities, sparking widespread anger and distrust.

Sources in Harare South alleged that Kanopula exploited his political influence to collaborate with the cooperative’s leadership in illegal land sales and transfers.

These reportedly include re-allocating land earmarked for essential amenities such as schools and clinics for residential purposes and selling small pieces of land on wetlands to prospective home owners.

While Kanopula, who was elected on a Zanu PF ticket in 2023, is expected to ensure his community gets secure shelter, residents who received the shady residential stands are still without title deeds and can be booted out any time.

One source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “The leadership, including Kanopula, has thwarted mechanisms for transparency. General meetings are suspended, and no one is held accountable. We don’t even know where our money is going.”

There has been an outcry over the reported misuse of cooperative funds.

Simon Muzenda Housing Cooperative members were asked to pay $30 each to regularise land use and verify state land allocations.

This amounted to over $6,000, which vanished without a trace, according to cooperative members.

Kanopula is alleged to have been involved in the misappropriation of these funds, though he denies any wrongdoing.

“I don’t know anything about that. If anyone thinks they were duped, they should report it to the police and stop mentioning my name.

“As the member of parliament, I do politics. l don’t deal with small cooperatives and l will sue people and make money for playing with my name,” Kanopula said in an interview.

Cooperative funds ate not being deposited into the agreed bank account, it was established.

“The money was pocketed by those in charge. Kanopula and others are taking advantage of people’s trust, and the cooperative has become a cash cow for a few individuals,” said another source who had requested an interview with this publication.

But the co-operative managers insist they are carrying out their work above board.

Gilbert Manatsa, a committee member at the Simon Muzenda Housing Cooperative, maintained that funds were used appropriately and that development projects were progressing.

“We haven’t received any complaints from our members. These are baseless accusations from people who don’t want to see us succeed,” Manatsa said.

Dominic Mufanochiya, the cooperative chair, dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and accused their elected secretary, Alec Chingwaru, for spreading malicious reports after being suspended for alleged misconduct.

“Everything is in order. This is all Chingwaru’s doing, because we suspended him,” said Mufanechiya.

“At the moment, no one can claim to be a member because the co-operative doesn’t have an approved register. Those claiming misuse of funds are spreading lies to tarnish our reputation,” added Mufanochiya.

But a 2023 audit supported by the Small and Medium Enterprises forced the production of a member register and fresh elections, contradicting Mufanochiya’s claim.

The letter from the Ministry notifying members of the audit

Chingwaru dismissed the allegation against him.

“Their assertion that the cooperative is operating without membership is both baseless and dishonest.

“Following an audit, a provisional register was established, and an inaugural meeting was held in June 2024, attended by members who had each paid $30 in contributions.

“These funds were later misappropriated by Manatsa and Mufanochiya.

“Their claim of a lack of membership not only contradicts the facts but is also an egregious attempt to deflect accountability for their actions,” he said.

Chingwaru implicated the area legislator.

“Their reliance on political interference is evident. In court filings, they openly acknowledged being directed by Honourable Trymore Kanopula to file for an interdict against me.

“The matter is now before the High Court, and while I will not delve into its specifics as it is sub judice, I am confident that the judiciary will address these baseless allegations appropriately,” he said.

“Every action I took was within my mandate to ensure transparency and proper governance within the cooperative.

This is not the first time Kanopula’s name has been linked to scandals.

During the 2023 election campaign, he reportedly promised residents that cooperatives would help them secure title deeds under President Mnangagwa’s housing scheme.

These promises are yet to materialize, further fuelling discontent.

In September 2023, Kanopula was embroiled in a dispute with Pungwe-Chimurenga Housing Cooperative (in Eyrecourt) where the cooperative accused him of converting land meant for commercial, clinic, and school purposes into residential stands for personal gain.