adminInnocent Ruwende : Municipal Reporter
Harare councillors have shot down attempts by Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Miriam Chikukwa to armtwist council to sell her a residential stand at a concessionary rate of 40 percent of purchase price, saying the decision will set the wrong precedent. The councillors argued that the decision would lead to other ministers and legislators seeking the same privilege from council.According to the recent minutes of the Education, Health, Housing and Community Services and Licensing Committee acting housing and social development director Rtd Major Matthew Marara recommended that it be council policy to allocate a residential stand to the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province on terms and conditions applicable to councillors.
“The acting director reported that upon recognition of the roles of the Minister of State, of translating the city council policies into regional context and the authority to ensure suitable development, the minister is very much involved in the day today running of the city.
“Implementation of the national policy and strategy was largely decentralised to municipal government.
“Provincial authorities play key role in the supervision of operations within the Metropolitan Province,” reads the minutes.
Minister Chikukwa was allocated a stand in Glen Lorne at a price of $12 per square metre.
“Representations have been made to the acting director of housing and social development by the Honourable Minister for reconsiderations of the selling price for the stand in Glen Lorne, which had been pegged at $80 000 plus $12 value added tax,”
Rtd Maj Marara requested that a concessionary rate of 40 percent of the selling price be used to calculate the selling price of the stand which amounts to $48 000 and $7 200 VAT.
During discussion, the committee was of the view that MPs in the Harare Metropolitan Province would likely want to enjoy the same benefit.
Acting Town Clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube advised that the recommendation was specific and solely for the Harare Metropolitan Province officials in office, who play a key role in the supervision of operations within the Metropolitan Province.
At a full council meeting on Thursday councillors said Minister Chikukwa should pay the full amount with Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni saying selling the land at a concessionary rate would lead to more requests of that nature.
“This will set the wrong precedent. My office will be flooded with other ministers and MPs seeking the same favour,” he said.
Online Reporter