In a no-holds-barred council meeting last week, irate councillors complained that Mupfumi was prejudicing the local authority by collecting the money. They slammed him for rushing to renovate the park toilet without approval from the council and charging locals 50 cents for using it.
“The transfer deal is yet to be finalised. Our workers have gone for long without salaries yet Mupfumi is collecting revenue daily. People we represent are being charged 50 cents for a public toilet by an individual while we are folding our hands,” said councillor Chris Zhanje.
Town clerk Obert Muzawazi said the issue of Meikles Park was now up to the government. He said the council had taken orders from the ministry to enter a swap deal.
Director of Housing and Community Services, Sternard Mapurisa said when Mupfumi received the offer letter there was a provision for council to carry out a land survey.
“The property still belongs to the council. Traders should therefore pay to the city of Mutare until a formal handover of the land takes place,” said Mapurisa.
Muzawazi also cleared the air on the issue of National Social Security Authority (NSSA) which is claiming ownership of the land. He said they breached the agreement by failing to develop the land in the agreed time frame.
The drama started when Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo directed the council to transfer Meikles Park to the government in a land swap deal. Government then sold the land to Stalvic Investments, a private company owned by Mupfumi, for an estimated $650,000.
Post published in: News