Chombo, who gave the directive to the City of Harare last week, said the area was unsuitable for the project.
The move follows a prolonged battle between Mashamhanda and Chipangano, with the latter having made efforts to derail the project from its initial stages on the premise that it was not going to benefit Zanu (PF) supporters as Mashamhanda belonged to the MDC.
“I have directed Harare City to stop any form of business development on the piece of land adjacent to Matapi Police Station because of environmental challenges considering it is located on the stream bank of Mukuvisi. That piece of land is better reserved for the expansion of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Station,” said Chombo.
In January Mashamhanda was assaulted by the Zanu (PF)-aligned Chipangano in Mbare and the case was reported to the police but no arrests were made. After a series of continued threats on his life, Mashamhanda in February sought a protection order against Chipangano leader, Jim Kunaka and Zanu (PF) Central Committee member, Tendai Savanhu.
In June the youths chased away a group of ZESA workers who had come to install a substation at the project site. They also went on a rampage, beating up workers at the site.
The move by Chombo has raised the ire of the MP for Mbare, Piniel Denga who said the directive was a huge obstacle to development and was motivated by a hidden political agenda.
“That is why those youths are running amok. They are being sent by the big chefs to stop development which is not associated with Zanu (PF). Instead of making sure jobs and good services are available, Zanu (PF) would like to stop development projects so that everyone languishes in poverty and they will be able to manipulate the unemployed youths,” said Denga.
Post published in: News