Last week, the police questioned Harare city councillors about a leaked report that fingered Chombo and businessman Philip Chiyangwa in a land-grab scam.

On Monday the tables were turned - the city council was asking the police to take action against two powerful city residents.

A recent report on a city council investigation of land deals in which Chombo was involved found grounds for accusing the minister of breaking the law.

The Harare council's report on the land theft said in part: "The investigations have proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the minister [Chombo] abused his powers in many instances by verbally issuing instructions on what council should do or not do concerning council properties."

The Harare City Council now wants the police to arrest the pair, both of whom are close associates of President Robert Mugabe.

Last week Chiyangwa reportedly ordered the arrest of eight councillors who were on the committee that compiled the damning report.

By The Times (SA)