Chitungwiza residents roast council for lacking bite over illegal developments

Blessings Chidakwa Municipality Correspondent

Chitungwiza residents have accused their council of sleeping on duty after it allowed unauthorised developments to take place at an open space at Chikwanha Shopping Centre.

Acting town clerk Dr Tonderai Kasu only issued a statement recently instructing that all developments going on at the open space should stop since they have not been sanctioned by council.

“All individuals intending to carry out any developments should produce documentation to substantiate their positions to do so and please be guided accordingly,” he said.

Chitungwiza Progressive Residents Association (CHIPRA) secretary-general Mr Gift Kurupati said council should be proactive rather than reactive.

He said it should bare its teeth and stamp its authority when dealing with issues relating to the area under its jurisdiction.

“It always barks, but seldom bites. Any development, which it did not sanction must stop.

“We need order in this town. By-laws must be followed without favour,” he said.

“There is a Local Government ministry directive to stop all land allocation and that has to be followed religiously.”

Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association acting director Mr Brighton Kanyama said residents were worried that council is failing to put in place mechanisms to deal with officials who are engaging in corrupt activities.

“There is a lot of illegal developments taking place in Chitungwiza and the one opposite Chikwanha is one of these. The land developer has already moved earthmoving equipment to the site, this cannot happen without council knowledge,” he said.

Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest) director Ms Alice Kuvheya expressed dismay over the development.

“We are actually in shock to hear this from our council after residents have paid application fees for the same place?

“We understand some people already have offer letters and we wonder how they got them? We ask for transparency we are tired of these notices that are issued after they had already given each other land,” she said.