Stoneridge is situated about 16km south-west of Harare and has more than 2000 residential stands. The stands are part of the farm which was invaded in 2000 by war veterans led by Chenjerai Hunzvi.
Since then the veterans have been camped near the stands in anticipation that either government or Harare City Council will come and allocate them plots. “When we took over these farms, these boys (aspiring candidates) were still teething and for them to come and dish them out while we stand by is unacceptable,” said a disgruntled war veteran, Lincon Mahusekwa.
Sources on the ground say a man identified as Fundukwa, who is the Zanu (PF) Youth Wing Chairperson in Harare South, is gunning for the position of MP in the constituency ahead of the next elections.
Fundukwa is reportedly working with his treasurer and a secretary to distribute the stands to soldiers, war veterans, police officers and Zanu (PF) members.
A liberation war fighter from Mbare who got a stand said he would not be intimidated by other the veterans.
“We are all liberation war fighters. These youths (Fundukwa and others) are not discriminating against anyone in their distribution exercise, so why fight them?” he said.
Fundukwa’s secretary, Gono, is son of a late war veteran who was instrumental in spear heading the seizure of the farm in 2000. He believes he is following in his father’s footsteps. He is intending to contest for the councilor’s seat under a Zanu (PF) ticket in the next election.
Gono and company are in possession of a site plan and ownership documents pertaining to Stoneridge. The documents are believed to have been seized from the farm house during the 2000 invasion and were kept by Gono’s father.
When contacted for comment Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Ignatius Chombo said he would find out who the real owner of the stands was.
Post published in: News