Villagers in Norwood in ward 18 of the Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC), Matabeleland South province, are at loggerheads with the local authority over gate takings realised through the sale of sand amid accusation that officials are imposing laws that hinder development in the area.
Norwood village head Stephen Ncube told Southern Eye that the proceeds realised from the sale of sand to various construction companies were used for developmental projects in their area.
He said the area had various natural resources targeted by businesses in Bulawayo including sand that is found in the village.
“We have rich natural sources of sand here where a lot of trucks mostly from Bulawayo visit us to fetch sand. Each truck pays a sum of US$10 to pass through the gate.
“We use the money to bring development. Right now we have started the construction of Norwood Primary School after having drilled a borehole through these proceeds,” he said.
Ncube, however, said council had imposed a timetable for those extracting sand leading to challenges in the business.
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Trucks are allowed to extract sand from 6am and the villagers wanted them to be allowed to continue until all customers are served.
But council wants the villagers to close the area at 6pm.
“There are people who are against development. I was appointed village head about two years ago. We came up with this idea that the funds realised from the gate takings should be converted to some projects after realising that there was no accountability for the funds and that there was nothing tangible in terms of development through this business,” Ncube said.
“This has not gone down well with some people because they felt exposed hence the move to introduce laws that are anti-people.”
He said they had since engaged the council which is yet to convene a meeting over the issue.
Former councillor Vusumuzi Moyo said the village realised at least US$70 per day, but the council restriction affected the number of trucks that can be served per day.
“At (least) three to four trucks can now come through and the rest which come after hours are forced to do sand poaching by using undesignated entrances,” he said.
Moyo also revealed that sand poachers had become a menace in the area.
“We have a cordial relationship with the incumbent councillor Land Ndebele, but he now stays far from this place due to the delimitation process,” Moyo said.
Meanwhile, Bulilima RDC chairperson Land Ndebele said the council decided to reduce working hours to curb crime rate.
“That is a resettlement area and it is a red spot for cattle theft cases. We had to reduce the working hours because late hours had become a security threat. Why would someone want to work at night rather than choosing to work during the day when everyone is awake?”