Housing co-op dismisses Pinnacle claims

illegally occupying and developing land in Harare South.
But Pinnacle Investments owner Mr Philip Chiyangwa yesterday insisted the land belongs to his compa-                 ny.
The developer, Mr Rixon Musaru-rwa, yesterday said Mr Chiyangwa’s allegations were unfounded as Government allocated the land in ques-tion to his clients in November            2011.
He said Government had also approved their layout plans.
“Just recently the members had a meeting with the State Land office during which they were advised to cede 10 percent of their land to commonage, a clear indication that the land belongs to the State and that the State recognises the residents as legal occupiers,” he said.
He said the advert sponsored by Pinnacle Investments on March 16 accusing the co-operative members and him of being thieves was rather unfortunate and tarnishing their images. Chairman of Simon Muzenda Housing Co-operative, Cde Mawaliho Chibamure, said everything involving Stoneridge Township, Chizororo and Nyarungu was approved by the Government.
“Government gave us Chizororo, Nyarungu and Stoneridge Farms to settle. We have since given 10 percent of that land to Government towards commonage.
“Mr Chiyangwa took the case to the Administrative Court last year and lost.
“We are surprised that the case keeps coming up every time there is an election pending,” he said.
Cde Chibamure said Mr Chiyangwa had brought the issue up prior to the 2008 harmonised elections — something they thought was meant to cause discontent and chaos in the district that has 10 000 registered voters.
“We now suspect that the motive is to divide voters in a district that has been a known Zanu-PF stronghold in Harare province. The President recently announced that Zimbabwe will go to the polls and the issue has come up again,” he said.
He urged co-operative members to continue building their houses and remain peaceful.
Contacted for comment Mr Chiyangwa maintained that the co-operatives were not the legal owners of the land and were up for eviction any time.
“Those people are criminals. You are dealing with criminals.
“Ask the police and they will tell you that I have no case to answer.
“Go back to your records from the stories you published and you will see what I mean.
“It’s not about Chiyangwa here but the legality of their claims,” he said.
Amalish Company has finished constructing roads in the new suburbs and is developing low and high density stands.
The developer has also started developing infrastructure to bring water to the residences.