Homeseekers strike Pure Gold

Shein Kanyumwa
AT independence in 1980, the new Government was determined to ensure the improvement of the lives of black Zimbabweans, who had been oppressed by the British settler regime for almost a century.
A number of policies aimed at easing the lives of majority blacks were introduced.
One such policy was the housing for all under the ambit of the now late Local Government and Public Housing Minister, Cde Enos Chikowore.

However, due to financial constraints, Government fulfilled part of its promise, but the determination to ensure that Zimbabweans get a good home has never faded.

In this regard, there has been a deliberate plan to promote housing co-operatives and trusts to ensure that many people get shelter.
But in the process, desperation for accommodation led people, especially in urban areas, to settle in a haphazard manner.

The Government had to restore order in 2005 and launched Operation Murambatsvina which saw many people living in shacks in Harare being moved to alternative accommodation such as Hopley, Caledonia and Whitecliff farms.
But the infrastructure in those areas has been developing at a snail’s pace.

However, a new breath of life has been given to the dwellers of Eastville Park formerly known as Caledonia as Pure Gold Housing Trust is set to change the concept of housing by building decent houses for the people.

Pure Gold housing trust directors and founders Bishop Benjamin Joseph Murata and Rev Joseph I. Museve believe that their trust is set to redefine the concept of the housing delivery system by setting a target for developing 15 000 housing stands for civil servants and 15 000 for non-civil servants by the year 2020.

They expressed regret at how some co-operatives had contributed little or nothing towards the development of the area.
As the chairman of the development committee, Bishop Murata says the development committee will spearhead development and make sure that all affiliated members play their part in developing Caledonia.

“The values of co-operatives or housing trusts have been tainted by some people who seek to dupe desperate home seekers,” Bishop Murata.
“Our compatriots in the housing industry have duped people for a long time, especially low-income earners who struggle everyday to get food on their table. We are saying that that has come to an end and sanity should prevail.”

His statement was echoed by the newly elected councillor of Caledonia Ward 25, Dereck Marisandi, who added that it was time to reward the poor.

“As your new councillor I want to assure you (Caledonia residents) of my support in the development of the ward and upliftment of the people I am leading.

As we said in our Zanu-PF manifesto, we want to see our people being owners of their own resources,” said the councillor.
Clr Marisandi warned co-operatives that seek to feast on people’s hard-earned cash.

“We have seen some co-operatives duping people who seek residential stand. Many people have lost their money because they are allocated undeveloped stands.

“Development of stands or servicing should come first and those co-operatives that thrive in stealing from our people will not be tolerated in this area,” he said.

Since its undertaking of development at the farm two years ago Pure Gold Housing Trust has managed to construct a road linking Old Tafara to the newly resettlement area.

The road has eased transport challenges between the two suburbs.
There are also plans to drill about 15 boreholes to ease the problem of water shortages in the area.
The Trust has been giving free stands to the underprivileged in the area, and is currently building three-roomed cottages to some selected families Caledonia.

One beneficiary of such a programme, Gogo Keriza Njani, who was visibly elated by such an initiative, noted that she did not in any way expect such as a god-sent phenomenon to happen to her.

“I would like to thank them for giving me a stand. I didn’t dream of owning a three- roomed house which they say they will build for me. I did not have enough money to pay the co-operatives let alone hope to build a house,” said Gogo Njani.

Another beneficiary, Esther Bako, and husband, Aaron Bako, were on cloud nine following the completion of their new three-roomed house, saying it was finally a dream come true.

“Since we were allocated stands at this place some years ago I have been a member of many co-operatives that came here promising to address our housing problems, but nothing materialised,” said Mr Bako.

“We have, on several occasions, paid joining fees to various housing co-operatives that continue failing to start constructing meaningful structures and always give excuses of paper work problems with the relevant authorities.

“But finally I have my own house. I wish we had more of such dedicated people.”
Recently Local Government and Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo blasted bogus co-operatives saying law enforcement agents will soon descend on them.

“In the recent past, we have witnessed mushrooming of illegal settlements in most of our urban habitats. You must of necessity remedy the unpalatable development. On that note, I would like to express my displeasure on land invasions perpetrated by pseudo co-operatives, who allocate both municipal and State land without authority from responsible institutions,” he said.