Cllr ignorant over basketball court conversion

Blessings Chidakwa
Municipal Reporter
Ward 15 (Warren Park) councillor Mr Tichaona Mhetu has professed ignorance over the developments of stands at a basketball court near the local police station, saying he will ask the local authority to give an explanation.

This comes after a furious backlash from residents who are irked by the invasion of the basketball court in Warren Park 1.

“I have absolutely no clue about those latest developments,” said Cllr Mhetu. “That whole area remains a recreational preserve and I am steadfast in scouting for investors to partner with us so that the necessary infrastructure is erected.

“Who said there can’t be sports clubs in high density areas?”

Council has not commented on the issue, but recently, the local authority came under fire from Milton Park residents who are demanding a stop to the conversion of part of Old Hararians Sports Club for commercial use.

This came after the council wrote to the club proposing the conversion of a 2,6 hectare piece of land at the club into a crèche, medical centre, market place, active recreational area and a petrol station.

The opposition led council also recently clashed with Southerton residents over its decision to turn a once thriving recreational park into residential stands.

Council wanted to turn Gilwell Square, along Bexley Road, into at least 29 low-density stands which have since been pegged despite residents’ objections.

The once thriving recreational facility in Warren Park 1 suburb is being turned into stands under the watch of MDC- Alliance led council.

The basketball court has since been cleared with a grader to pave way for the construction of houses while the whole area surrounding the basketball court has also been cleared.

This follows the recent destruction of another basketball court near Haig Park Primary School in Mabelreign as the MDC councillors continue targeting recreational facilities to corruptly turn them into residential stands, pocketing millions of dollars in the process.

A few that have been spared are now white elephants because of years of neglect with some slowly turning into dumpsites as the local authority is also struggling to collect refuse in both residential and commercial areas.