adminH-Metro Reporter
CHITUNGWIZA Municipality is facing a severe backlash from residents over its decision to dispose of a football pitch to the Unified Councils Pension Fund.
The municipality issued a notice stating that it intended to dispose of the iconic pitch in Zengeza 2 to the Fund.
This has angered residents who are concerned about losing recreational facilities.
It is a ground which was graced by a number of football stars like Alois Bunjira, Stewart Murisa, Alois Godzi and Robert Zhakata during the early stages of their careers.
“Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 152 (2) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:12) that the Municipality of Chitungwiza intends to dispose of Stand Number 810, Zengeza Township measuring 4 739 square metres held under Deed of Transfer 0000021/2015 dated 21st January 2015 and Stand Number 22 997, also known as Zengeza Ground, measuring approximately 14 923 square metres to Unified Councils Pension Fund,” read the notice.
Chitungwiza acting Town Clerk, Japson Nemuseso, gave those who wish to object to the proposal 21 working days to do so.
The municipality’s spokesperson, Lovemore Meya, said, residents should follow procedures.
“This is the consultation processes where residents should just follow what is laid out in the advert,” he said.
However, the residents are particularly offended as several football stars emerged from the recreational facilities facing disposal.
Chemhanza Stadium and pitches at Chigovanyika in Zengeza 3, which used to host weekend matches and musical concerts, were converted into residential stands.
Below are some of the residents’ feelings:
Very sad, they have always wanted to sell Zengeza 5 ground, now they have found a convenient excuse. Why didn’t they remit the pensions they were deducting from employees’ salaries to the fund? – Resident.
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Recreational facilities don’t make sense to these muppets of councillors. This is another result of the public making decisions without rationality. – Resident.
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Ngavatengese ma stands ku Nyatsime uko. Izvi hazviko ndopega pasara parikutambirwa bhora. Vanoda ritambirwe mudzimba here? Let’s not just say no pano pa group, let’s go and write down our objections during this open period. – Mlambo
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This is what is causing drug abuse because they have nothing else to do than kugara as groups and smoke. The same thing happened ne basketball court yepaZengeza. Takaenda ku council several times and were promised that nothing was going to happen. Iyezvino atove makore paiswa Zebra Valley then pakazouya Sifra Village bvazvatofa zvachose. – Resident.
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Let’s activate now vana vedu vanozovei nhai veduwe. Chigovanyika ne Chemhanza zvakaenda now maakutora Ground B, saka vana voita mitoriro zvavo ka? – Noooo.
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Hanzi those grounds patova nema stands kudhara, so if we don’t oppose this as a community hapana hapana. Izvezvi our kids are playing muma roads, no recreational facilities. It is also as a result of land barons in the council, ground iro from rumours rakatopegwa iro. Zengeza 5 rakatogara richinetsa community yakaramba saka tikangozvitarisa, we are doomed. I don’t think this money goes into council coffers. Vakadii kutora Nyatsime. Let’s not allow this. – Tapramore.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter