MDC-T legislator in row over office

in a fierce wrangle over the use of an office with a Chitungwiza businessman.
Both claim Chitungwiza Municipality has given them the green light to occupy the offices at Unit J Shopping Centre.
Mr Musundire says he got permission to use the offices as his constituency centre through the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
Mr Shingirayi Mapurazi, who runs a Division One football team, Mutoko Pirates, and a money-lending business, said he was surprised to receive council utility bills in Mr Musundire’s name last year.
He claims council never informed him that he was no longer the tenant.
Mr Mapurazi occupied the offices as a sub-tenant for close to seven years. Council last year wrote to all sitting tenants instructing them not to pay rentals to anyone other than the local authority. The council then invited new applications for office and shop space and Mr Mapurazi said he applied.
“I applied for first preference since I was the sitting tenant.
“I was surprised to learn that Mr Musundire was also claiming legal authority to occupy the offices,” he said.
Town Clerk Mr Godfrey Tanyanyiwa said council policy was that the right of first refusal was given to sitting tenants.
“The one we find in the office is the sitting tenant,” he said.
Sources indicated that Mr Musundire was initially given permission to occupy the offices when councillors had given themselves authority to parcel out space.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo reversed that council resolution in the interest of good governance.
This nullified all decisions and actions taken using that resolution.
Mr Musundire yesterday – armed with a letter from Chitungwiza Municipality – argued that he was the legal tenant. The letter reads in part: “Please be advised that your application was successful, you have been allocated Stand Number 5128 Unit J on a rental basis for an amount of US$269 per month.
“Your account number is 40005005128.”
The director of housing and community services Ms Jemina Gumbo wrote the letter.
Mr Musundire has blocked Mr Mapurazi from using the offices and the latter says he is losing busi- ness because all his business papers are locked up.
“I am now appealing to council to allow me to use the office and make a living,” he said.
Mr Musundire says he has repo- rted theft of property and wants Mr Mapurazi arrested.