MARONDERA - Zanu (PF) Minister of Local Government, Ignatius Chombo, last month forced Marondera Municipality to sell a low density house to losing former Zanu (PF) town mayor, Ralph Chimanikire, for US$0.16. (Pictured: The 8 Mimosa Rd, Winston Park House which Chombo ordered cou
Sources at the local authority here revealed that after Chimanikire lost the mayoral elections to MDC-T candidate, Farai Nyandoro, in March 2008, Chombo ordered council to sell the house at 8 Mimosa Close Winston Park to him for next to nothing. Chimanikire is reportedly related to Chombo.
Chimanikire lost the mayorship to Nyandoro in the 2008 election before he completed his full term in office. He was therefore not entitled to any benefits at the expense of the struggling ratepayers. Despite this, Chombo continued to make spirited and illegitimate efforts to give the house to Chimanikire. He got his way recently. In the face of stiff resistance from incumbent MDC-T councillors, Chombo continued writing threatening letters to the council and gave directives to city fathers to hand over the house to Chimanikire. Last month the Zanu (PF) Chamber Secretary, Ruramayi Nyamuzihwa, formally facilitated the handing over of the house – without the blessing of MDC-T city fathers, said a management source.
The source revealed that Chimanikire paid Z$1 trillion dollars (US $0.16) then for the property situated in the leafy suburb where the richest residents of this farming town reside. On the day of the transaction when inflation was at its peak, the Z$1 trillion dollars paid for the house by Chimanikire could buy only two eggs or five boxes of matches. Chombo made no effort to review the price of the house when he made his final order last month for ownership of the house to be transferred to Chimanikire.
Officials at the Government Deeds offices in Harare said the directive by Chombo for the change of ownership regarding the property, would be challengeable in a court of law, as the deal went through without the blessing of a full council resolution.
We understand the house is council property and no legitimate change of ownership can be facilitated without approval of a full council meeting. Chombo and Chimanikires victory in this regard could be short-lived. Zanu (PF) has nothing to celebrate here. We have a strong feeling that when the rule of law is finally restored in the country, Chimanikire will lose the house to its rightful owner which is the council, said an official at the deeds offices.
Residents here were shocked and angered by Chombos partisan directive. Honestly, how could a self respecting government minister parcel out council property at a time when deserving serving senior council employees have no accommodation? This is clearly a last-ditch Zanu (PF) attempt at looting before it is ousted from power. As residents, we would fight Chombo in the courts of law to recover our property when the right time comes. It is a matter of time, said a senior resident, Nelson Ngorima.
The house at the centre of the controversy is currently occupied by the council auditor, who was given notice to vacate the property. This comes at a time when council was struggling to accommodate its senior staff, including the director for finance and the auditor, among others.
Councillors did not pass a resolution regarding the 8 Mimosa house deal. As city fathers, we do not discuss ministerial directives. You may approach relevant council offices for further details in this regard, said the MDC-T Town Mayor, Farai Nyandoro.
When contacted for comment, a top council management official confirmed Chombos insistence and threatening letters which resulted in council losing the house.
Yes, I confirm that Chombo recently got his way and forced council to surrender the property to Chimanikire. Since 2008, Chombo has been pushing for the transfer of ownership of the house to Zanu (PF) and losing Mayor, Chimanikire. His final push was made last month through the office of Director for Urban Council Authorities, Mudzinge. According to the Urban Councils Act, Mudzinge as a mere director has no powers to involve himself in such issues. In fact, with Zanu (PF) nothing is impossible but time will come when justice would be respected, said the top council member of management on condition of anonymity.
According to sources at the local authority, Chimanikire allegedly looted dozens of council residential and industrial properties during his short-lived term of office.
Z$1 trillion dollars, paid for the house by Chimanikire, could buy only two eggs or five boxes of matches
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