New Developments in the Real Estate Controversy Involving Minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri
A well-informed source has disclosed new information regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding a real estate project associated with Fatima Zahra Mansouri, the Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, as well as the President of the Municipal Council of Marrakech. This source emphasized that many of the circulating claims are inaccurate and do not reflect the true nature of the case. Specifically, it was stated that the rumors regarding the "dismissal" of the director of the concerned urban agency are unfounded. Instead, it was confirmed that the official in question resigned from his position voluntarily, and his departure was not linked to the Mansouri case.
Moreover, this source pointed out that several professional bodies, including the Architects Association and the Real Estate Promoters Association, had previously sent letters to the relevant authorities expressing their concerns about the management of this particular case. It was also noted that the director had never held a position in an urban agency prior to this role. Regarding the timeline for processing the file, the source indicated that it took approximately nine months from the initial submission in April until the receipt of the necessary permits in December, after undergoing various legal and administrative stages, including a preliminary study committee and obtaining approvals from the competent authorities, which is considered a normal duration for processing such files.
Clarifications on Property Classification and Regulatory Compliance
In terms of the property title, which classifies the land as "agricultural land," the source clarified that this designation does not definitively determine the land's eligibility for construction. The classification of land use falls under the jurisdiction of urban planning documents and the urban agency, rather than the land registry. It was also mentioned that the memoranda issued by the urban agency confirm that the project complies with the current urban planning design specifications.
Supporting earlier statements made by PAM leader and President of the Marrakech-Safi region, Samir Kodar, the source highlighted that the property in question spans an area of 66 hectares within a total area of approximately 8,500 hectares included in the urban planning document approved in 2017, representing less than one percent of the total land available for urban development. Furthermore, the file underwent the same procedures as hundreds of other files, with approximately 600 files approved prior to this one and 300 after, without any exceptional or preferential treatment being granted.
The decree approving the 2017 urban planning design was issued during a period when Fatima Zahra Mansouri held no official responsibilities, neither at the head of the Marrakech municipality nor within the government, thereby negating any allegations of her involvement in the preparation or approval of the document. The source also emphasized that the Taseltant area was not subject to any urban planning design until 2017. Although some files benefited from exceptional procedures during that phase, it was noted that Mansouri, while serving as the head of the municipal council, did not resort to such procedures for family-owned properties, despite having the legal option to do so, which counters claims of a conflict of interest.
Regarding the origin of the property ownership, the source explained that the land title dates back to 1977, when Mansouri's father, a practicing lawyer at the time, acquired the property through a legally documented transaction involving private parties, long before any family members entered the political arena. This confirms that the ownership is well-documented and based on solid legal foundations.
As reported by hespress.com.
