but residents resist removalThe hostels were declared unfit for human habitation and condemned in 2003 by health officials, but the families have continued to live in the building since then because they had nowhere else to go.
Sources privy to the relocation exercise said families were advised of council action but were resisting eviction.
When The Zimbabwean visited the hostels last week, there were heaps of decomposing uncollected garbage and sewerage was flowing from the building. An official from the council’s health department said the habitants risk contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea if the situation is not addressed urgently.
Marondera mayor, Farai Nyandoro, said the local authority would soon invite tenders for the demolition of the hostels and the building of new structures for commercial purposes.
He added that the hostels were in bad shape and an eyesore. “We are planning to demolish them and put up a supermarket or commercial facilities. The affected people will be relocated to Labour farm,” Nyandoro said.
Sources in the council said six years ago the council entered into an agreement with then horticulture company Mitchells and Mitchells to assist in the rehabilitation of the hostel but the deal never saw the light of the day.
Post published in: News