Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice, known as Ezema, has accused City Administration officials of a massive land grab and illegal distribution of condominium units in the capital. The political party claims that the City Administration, in particular the Land Development & Management Bureau and the Housing Development & Administration Agency, are accountable for the illegal appropriation of 213,400Sqm of land and 95,129 house transfers.

Ezema denounced the land grabbing and illegal transfer of the condominiums it claimed happened through nepotism and called for the accused parties to be prosecuted. The party claimed 96,800Sqm of land in Nefas Silk Lafto; 58,000Sqm of land in Yeka; 15,000Sqm of land in Bole; 21,100Sqm of land in Kolfe Keranyo; and 22,500Sqm of land in Aqaqi Qality were illegally appropriated.

“We've received information from many sources about illegal land appropriation and condo unit transfers," said Nathanael Feleqe, public relations head of the party. "That’s why we decided to undertake a study on the issue.”

The National Executive Committee of the party then deployed a study team comprising four individuals to look into the issue, according to Natnael. The study, which lasted for a month and a half, was conducted in five districts and 25 locations across the capital. The study team collected information from 1,200 interviews and field observations.

"The houses were illegally granted to those who were not registered or did not save money for them," said Natnael. "These houses should have been given to those who saved for 15 years."

The study further claims that this heist was executed by government officials at the City Administration, district and weredalevels, and in collaboration with illegal brokers.

Land grabs may occur, but the Bureau investigates and takes serious measures against those it finds guilty, according to Negash Bacha, head of the Addis Abeba Land Development & Management Bureau.

"Actions were taken against 40 public officials during the just ended budget year," he said. "We've also cancelled 124 landholding certificates."