In 2005, after the controversial Operation Murambatsvina, the Zanu (PF) government embarked on Operation Garikai, a programme to build new houses in several cities and towns. The houses were quickly grabbed by Zanu (PF) officials and their relatives.
However, a Bulawayo City Council report has revealed that the housing ministry, under its new boss, Fidelis Mhashu, has begun taking back most of these houses and stands in the Cowdray Park high-density suburb
Thirty houses and 300 vacant stands had been so far repossessed and reallocated to new beneficiaries and the new beneficiaries had already made the necessary payments to the government ministry concerned and also occupied the houses, some of whom had completed the structures, read part of the city council report.
The report also said there had been an outcry from people whose properties were seized. They had visited council offices demanding an explanation and threatening to reverse pending repossessions.
In the report, Bulawayo town clerk Middleton Nyoni said new beneficiaries had been taken from the councils housing waiting list in consultation with the housing ministry.
Post published in: News