Gaffarena profited from breach of laws

Land in Qormi transferred to Mark Gaffarena had its value reduced by 90 per cent by government architects because of “illegal” buildings, which he himself was responsible for, this newspaper has learnt. Mr Gaffarena was given the land in Tal-Ħandaq at Qormi as part payment for the expropriation of a building in Old Mint Street, Valletta. The land parcel hosts an entertainment venue, known as Taċ-Ċavett, built without a permit. According to a 2012 enforcement notice issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority it was Mr Gaffarena who was responsible for the breach. Two investigations are under way since this newspaper revealed that government expropriated half ownership of the Valletta property valued at €1.65 million. The government paid for it in cash and seven parcels of public land in Siġġiewi, Żebbuġ, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Qormi and a property in Sliema. Independent evaluations by architects commissioned by Times of Malta had already shown that the parcels of land he was given were worth at least double the price tag given by government architects.