adminAbel Zhakata Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has ordered the arrest of executive members of the Mutare Housing Consortium who stand accused of stealing millions of dollars from home seekers at the restive Gimboki South Housing Scheme. Addressing hundreds of disgruntled beneficiaries in Dangamvura last week, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Savior Kasukuwere, said he would implement recommendations of a probe team that was tasked to investigate allegations of fraud and double allocations at the scheme.
Apart from urging the Serious Frauds Squad to chip in and arrest offenders, Cde Kasukuwere ordered the beneficiaries to stop paying monthly installments to their respective groups forthwith.
He directed Town Clerk, Mr Obert Muzawazi, to move with speed and set up a council office at the housing scheme that will collect money from the beneficiaries and use the funds to service the stands.
“The issue of corrupt housing cooperatives must come to an end immediately. The land belongs to Zimbabwe. People must not be troubled by bogus arrangements. We are saying not to that kind of corruption.
“Beneficiaries who are on their stands must stay there freely. With immediate effect that housing cooperative is now part of the City of Mutare. Council has been ordered to erect an office where people will pay money to Government and that money will be used to service the stands. We don’t want people who steal money from the voiceless.
“If the land is not enough, the Town Clerk must apply to the ministry and we will look for land in adjacent locations for urban growth. Those who have lost out through double allocations will be catered for and relocated.
“Government is only going to give land to council which represents the people and the local authority must do its job to the satisfaction of residents. If I hear of any corruption by the councillors I will fire them. Councillors, it is not for you to go into council and steal from ratepayers,” he said.
Council officials, he said, who are not executing their duties well must leave office.
“If you applied for the job you are holding you must deliver because this minister will not watch while council officials run down local authorities.
Cde Kasukuwere, who is Zanu-PF’s national commissar, castigated party cadres who angle positions already occupied by others saying it causes divisions.
“Let us not push each other around and if you are not contend with where you are quit and get out of the party. If you are given a position to hold by the President execute that post. Those who are not sleeping at night scheming the downfall of others must end.”
He took the opportunity to thank voters for electing Cde Isau Mupfumi to represent the party in Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency.
“President Mugabe is happy with what you did by winning the by elections.
“We want leaders who go back to the community and hear people’s grievances. This is not the time to fight for positions but time to listen to what people want,” he said.
Online Reporter