Erection of Net One transmitter a grave concern to displaced villagers (17-08-07)

For Chineta Siwayo who used be a resident of the area, he distates such a development as he has been displaced following the erection of the transmitter in the area.

He says development of such nature should never be upheld as they displace families from their roots and force them to settle in areas not of their choice.

“I can never stand up and say that is development. I have been uprooted from the graves of my forefathers and relatives to be settled elsewhere,” he says.

While Siwayo has has his pile of troubles over being moved somewhere, to others like Zodai Maputo Chamutsa, the transmitter could not have come at a better time.

“We are are happy and grateful over the development,” he says.

Zodai young brother to Chief Chamutsa who oversees the area says they are proud as a people in a rural setting to have things that used to be only identified with an urban setting.

“What makes it sweet is that the we one of the few to be considered first to have these transmitters. We are aware that Net*one intends to have them through out the country so people communicate but that we already have it here with us before others speaks volumes to us,” says Zodai.

However he says he is unhappy with the delay in commissioning the transimitter.

“The transmitter was set up a long time ago and to date it is yet to be operationalised. we do not know what is delaying the whole thing.”

The chief’s brother is not alone over the worrying issue in ensuring the transmitter starts serving its purpose. Evi Mutsveta, a resident says she is unhappy over the time the transmitter is taking to operate.

“It is sad that we bought mobile cellphone a long time ago and we still have them complete with simcards but we cannot use the gadgets for now and we do not know until when,” she complains.

An officials at Net*one Mutare office, the provincial city refused to give details to CAJ News on the matter referring all questions to Transport and Communications Minister Christopher Mushowe, who was saidto be out of his office when contacted.

But elderly Mercy Sithole says she suspects the long held view that the transmitter will only work after it is commissioned by President Mugabe when his campaign trail for his ruling party Zanu PF takes off.

“As has been the case with other development projects long finished they are not made to be utilised until when it is to be advantage of Zanu PF that they are handed over to the communities. We have seen this happening and it going to happen again this time. People aqquirred mobile handsets long back anticipating they would immediately use them, but alas Zanu PF is at it again,” she alleged.

Onisimus Bhegedhe says he ispatient and will wait until the transmitter begins to work.

“When it starts operating i know phone shops will have less business as they are more expensive than using these operators’ services directly. While the delay is disturbing there is nothing we can do except to wait,” he says.

Phone shop operator Lindiwe Mabika says she is happy with the delay as it gives her a chance to make money before some people begin using their mobile phones after the transmitter is connected.

“For now it means i will have something togive to my children. Business will still be there when the transmitter starts to work but i will likely be taking less money home.But for so far so good,” she says.

The Zanu PF governemnt has been accused by opposition political parties of taking advantage of such projects to give itself credit while such development projects would have been funded by taxes-CAJ News.