Gates, the co-founder and co-chairperson of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has availed $5million to Zimbabwe for development. The money was part of a $60million package to be shared between Zimbabwe, Malawi and Angola to improve the livelihoods of people living in poverty.
The Mayor identified the refurbishment of the Matapi Flats and sinking boreholes in the populous high density suburb as projects that would best utilise the funds, but his plans have been stonewalled by the militia.
“We have received $5 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Mbare and other communities in the high-density suburbs, but Chipangano, backed by Zanu (PF) Politburo member, Tendai Savanhu, and Zanu (PF) Youth League chairman, Jim Kunaka, said Mbare is now a ‘no go area’. Their politicisation of development is likely to hinder progress,” said Masunda.
The Mayor said the Chipangano militia did not want to invest in the projects because the areas will give political mileage to the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
This follows a rampage by the militia to rid the suburbs of perceived MDC supporters. They have ransacked and shut down the MDC district offices in Mbare and have taken over all the market stalls in the capital, including ranks for commuters.
The Mayor said he was powerless to stop the marauding militia and police have refused to act.
Post published in: News