adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
The Bulawayo City Council has turned down an application for land by the Ministry of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Ex-Political Detainees to construct a memorial hospital in Pumula South.
Councillors resolved that the ministry be offered land elsewhere as land for such facilities had been offered to other groups who are yet to start construction.
This was despite a senior council official saying there was adequate land for the facility.
The acting deputy director of engineering services, Wisdom Siziba, said the area was a big piece of land reserved for a hospital.
“Although another applicant has been authorised to establish a hospital, there is adequate land for the proposed facility,” he said.
According to the latest council report Clr Ephraim Ncube said war veterans, war collaborators, ex-political detainees and restrictees were recognised groups of people.
He said most of them were still nursing war injuries. A special medical facility was therefore necessary for them.
Clr Silas Chigora sought clarification on the piece of land being applied for. He wanted to know what the land was reserved for.
“The hospital should cater for all residents and not specific individuals” said Clr Chigora.
The application, Clr Norman Hlabani said, should be supported but with conditions.
“The hospital should benefit all residents in Bulawayo,” he said.
He enquired if the land would be leased or sold to the applicants.
Clr Rodney Jele said the committee had in the past dealt with an application of a similar nature in Ward 27.
“If this application was acceded to, then the ward would have two hospitals adjacent to each other. Is there state land which central government could utilise in Pumula South for this purpose?” he asked.
There were a number of activities in Ward 27, Clr Monica Lubimbi said, and in view of this, such facilities should be established in other wards.
Clr Siboniso Khumalo said two applications for private clinics in Ward 27 had already been acceded to.
“Up to now no construction works has commenced. I feel other wards should also benefit from such services, therefore the development should go to other wards,” said Clr Khumalo.
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