Housing meeting postponed again

The meeting, which was scheduled for yesterday, was reportedly cancelled because of a “gruelling programme” that has seen councillors holding up to three meetings a day. The matter cannot be discussed at a full council meeting before it has been debated at the special meeting and a resolution can only be made at the full council meeting. Council holds a full council meeting on the first Wednesday of every month.

In an interview on Thursday, Bulawayo’s Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said the meeting would have to be slotted after the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which ends on Saturday next week.

“I can confirm that the meeting has been deferred. It will however be held before the full council meeting,” said Clr Moyo.
He said home seekers who had been given offer letters should approach the office of the director of Housing and Community Services, Mr Isaiah Magagula, to make arrangements to pay their deposits.

“No one shall lose a stand because they have failed to meet the new conditions that are being imposed by council officials. As councillors, we never passed a resolution authorising the new system, so it cannot be implemented,” said Clr Moyo.

Residents who had been offered stands complained bitterly after home seekers at Emhlangeni medium density suburb were given a three-day ultimatum to raise a $4 200 deposit for the stands or risk losing them.

Their counterparts in Emganwini and Pumula South were also given three days to  each raise about $2 700 as deposit for their stands.
Council used to ask for a 35 percent deposit on the value of a stand, payable three weeks from the day of being notified.

The balance would be paid over 18 months.

Under the new system, council is asking those allocated stands to pay more than half of the value of the stand within three days.

“The housing director (Mr Isaiah Magagula) has come up with very good recommendations that we are supposed to discuss at the special meeting. I cannot tell you what they are before our meeting.

“What I can only say is that they represent a way forward,” said Clr Moyo.

He said home seekers should not be disadvantaged as the city has an obligation to avail accommodation to residents at affordable terms.

Last month, the special meeting was cancelled after councillors alleged that officials wanted to “hijack” it and influence resolutions when a number of councillors who are vocal and knowledgeable about the issue were out of town.