Chronicle Editor
Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
Nearly 20 people running small to medium enterprises (SMEs) at Masvingo’s People’s Shop have been evicted over non-payment of rentals amounting to more than $50 000.
Masvingo Informal Traders’ Association (MITA) director Mr Gilbert Chikwata who had a lease agreement with council for the use of the premises said they stopped paying rentals in 2015 after the local authority disconnected water supplies.
The tenants were also resisting eviction for the past two years but Masvingo Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze said the people’s shop has now been closed.
Clr Fidze said they engaged Mr Chikwata for two years to no avail and the evictions came as a last resort after the SMEs refused to cooperate with the municipality.
“The eviction is meant to force the defaulting tenants to clear their arrears. Serious business people who are prepared to pay rentals and utility bills can engage council so that they take over the premises. The people’s shop is meant to assist residents to earn a living through trading but council expects users of the premises to pay rent,” he said.
Mr Chikwata vowed to return to the premises saying council was sabotaging the country’s economic blueprint — Zim-Asset.
He said the tenants stopped paying rentals because council was not providing services.
Mr Chikwata said he and other affected SMEs will approach the courts over the matter. — @walterbmswazie3
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