Church of the Central Province of Africa Bishop, Chad Gandiya, told The Zimbabwean that Kunonga had connived with his priests to subdivide land at St Mary’s Mission in Chitungwiza and “unlawfully” sold residential stands to unsuspecting persons.
Kunonga’s loss of control of Anglican Church properties in November last year means the residents who bought the stands could lose out as the CPCA reclaim its properties.
Residents reportedly bought the stands at prices ranging from $3, 500 to $4, 000.
Gandiya said reclaiming the piece of land at St Mary’s Mission was one of the many hurdles the CPCA had to tackle.
“There are still a few hurdles such as people who were sold pieces of our land at St Mary’s Mission in Chitungwiza. We are having to redirect them to the people who sold them that land illegally,” said Gandiya. “I received a report on February 2 that Kunonga and his priests had subdivided land at St Mary’s Mission and then sold plots to the people,” said Gandiya.
To make matters worse, he said, the people who bought the stands do not have any paper work to confirm the purchase. He said Kunonga’s behaviour was unlawful and the CPCA has advised affected locals to report their case to the police.
“The land was sold illegally and as far as we are concerned that is not our problem. We are not going to allow anybody to build on our land,” said Gandiya. Gandiya could not specify the number of residential stands that had been sold but said the area that had been subdivided “is quite a huge piece of land”.
When contacted for comment over the issue, Kunonga denied the claims. “Just go ahead and report whatever it is that you want to report. I do not care about that story so just go ahead and tell your lies,” he said. The police in Chitungwiza said they were yet to receive reports from people who were duped by Kunonga in the residential stands scam. Kunonga is also reported to have rented out church buildings to private schools. These schools now face closure.
“We had given an allowance for pupils to write their examinations without disturbance but we do not want to continue operating illegal schools on our premises,” said Gandiya.
Gandiya said Kunonga’s former tenants at Anglican Church buildings had vandalised the structures, adding that the CPCA was in the process of refurbishing the damaged properties.
He said the Anglican Cathedral in the capital had had its water cut off as a result of a $55 000 water bill that had accrued during Kunonga’s reign. “The council refused to re-connect us but we have not been here all these years. The question is why did they not disconnect Kunonga all the years he accrued the huge debt?” said Gandiya.
However, Harare City Council spokesperson, Lesley Gwindi quashed Gandiya’s sentiments.
“It is not Kunonga who owes us but the Anglican Cathedral. We do not mind who pays it but the bill has got to be settled,” said Gwindi.
Post published in: News