RESIDENTS in Bulawayo have raised concern over high prices of residential stands in the city saying it is making it difficult for a number of citizens to build homes.
The residential stands are averaging US$700 in the high density and US$35 000 in the low density areas.
Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson, Winos Dube, said the high prices of residential stands is a violation of the right of the citizens to shelter.
“As we all know, accommodation is one of the basic rights of people but when housing stands are now too exorbitant, then this means that it never serves as a right. Only diasporas can afford housing stands nowadays and the local people can no longer afford to own accommodation,” Dube said.
“We continue to call for the government and relevant ministries to intervene and at least give the less privileged an opportunity by at least reviewing the housing of the housing stands. We fought for this land, so why is it now too expensive for an average person living in this country?”
Bulawayo deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu said pricing of residential stands is determined by market forces.
“The bylaws do not determine the prices of anything but market forces. Therefore the council is also a victim of the economic meltdown like any other institution.
“The market determines which is beyond the council's control,” he said.
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Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Affairs minister Judith Ncube said that local authorities are working with private developers to service stands resulting in high prices.
The city’s housing waiting list has ballooned to more than 130 000 with the local authority blamed for failing to avail adequate housing stands.
