ZANU PF says it is investigating circumstances surrounding the eviction of dozens of people in Chitungwiza by party MP Christopher Chigumba.
BY MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER The party has also asked Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo to provide a comprehensive report on the matter.
Party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday said Zanu PF was seized with the matter, but would act when it gets a report from Chombo and his deputy Joel Biggie Matiza who were responsible for dealing with such matters.
“Chombo and Matiza are responsible and the position taken by the two should carry the day and guide us. They will make recommendations on that issue. We don’t have all the facts so we will wait to hear from the two and from there, we will take it up,” Gumbo said.
“If it is true, we will find it difficult to accept such acts. But like I said, let’s wait for the facts from Matiza and Chombo, then we act.”
Chombo last year appointed a team to investigate illegal land deals in and around Chitungwiza and Seke areas after it was discovered that thousands of home-seekers were being sold undesignated land and open spaces not suitable for houses.
The probe team discovered that over 14 000 householders had built their structures on unserviced land, while 8 200 houses built on illegal land were set to be demolished.
Chombo yesterday said he was expecting a report on what transpired from Harare Metropolitan provincial administrator Alfred Tome and the District Administrator respectively.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I don’t know the exact facts of the matter because I am yet to get a report. I just read in the papers and I hope to get a report by Monday on the matter. Those are the functions of the PA and DA to get the facts of the matter and brief me then we see what we can do,” Chombo said.
Chigumba, the Zanu PF MP for Chitungwiza South, reportedly evicted scores of people including party supporters from their houses a fortnight ago.
At least 300 others are facing eviction if they do not comply with new conditions imposed by the MP.
Chigumba, who claims to own a co-operative that built the houses from members’ contributions, was allegedly demanding $5 000 cash from each beneficiary in addition to what they contributed over the years.
He claims contributions by members of the co-operative, Zano Remba Housing Co-operative, which were made during the Zimdollar era, were no longer valid. Chigumba is patron of the cooperative, which he has reportedly incorporated as part of his holding company Chigumba Holdings. He says those evicted were crooks.
