Carter House, an overnight accommodation facility for long distance travellers, was commandeered by the group to house Zanu (PF) and senior Chipangano members.
A source revealed that at a recent meeting held at Paget House, another council property, the group resolved that the municipality must not take back Carter House until after the next elections are held.
“It was agreed that because the City Council was mainly dominated by MDC councillors, Chipangano should make sure that Carter House and other open spaces would only be relinquished after elections,” said the source.
Chipangano leader Jim Kunaka claimed in court recently that he owned Carter House, and used the address on papers given to the prosecution. Under the guise of empowerment and indigenisation, Zanu (PF) and Chipangano members, often assisted by the police and some sections of the Harare City Council, have been grabbing council properties and open spaces in Mbare.
One of the beneficiaries at Carter House, Dickson Musarurwa, argued that council properties had to be converted into working places to reverse colonialism.
“The Rhodesian government built pubs not for developmental purposes but to regain money paid to locals during that era. You can hardly walk a km in any location without noticing a bar. This is why Zanu (PF) has decided to let people convert some of these public places and open spaces into developmental venues to fulfill 100 percent empowerment programme,” he said.
A tailor at Nenyere Flats Block 12, where a community hall has been turned into a textile home industry, said the council had no power against Zanu (PF). “Chipangano and Zanu (PF) District officials have since turned into grabbing council properties and renting them to desperate vendors from around the city. We pay between $40 and $50 a month depending on area size. We use electricity and I do not think ZESA is paid any money. I do not think HCC will win this battle,” added the tailor.
City councillors have been urging Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda to take the lead in regaining control of council properties lost to Zanu (PF) but he seems reluctant to initiate the move.
Post published in: News