mufakose residents in demo over beerhall

Rufaro Marketing beerhalls to TN Holdings.
The placard-waving residents said the takeover of Mukonde Beerhall, popularly known as “Machembere”, was done without consulting them.
Two people who were attacked while coming from a drinking binge at a nearby shopping centre this week triggered the demonstration.
Council recently signed a 10-year lease agreement with TN Holdings for 25 outlets.
The company is expected to pay US$1,5 million in rentals for the 10-year lease agreement.
Rufaro has been converted into a real estate business following the collapse of the beer-selling venture.
Residents said they no longer have recreational places following the development.
“You will never while your time in a bank.
“This was the only place where we used to share ideas as a community but where do they expect us to interact,” said Mr Wonder Marizana.
“It is painful that is the reason why people from different political parties have united to denounce this move.”
Some of the placards read: “Community first, not coffins”, “Our bar our indigenisation” and “Tanzwa nekupondwa nekuda bhawa”.
Others said they had to travel for long distances to drink beer.
“There is no more life in Ward 36. We come back from nearby shopping centres before six o’clock in fear of being attacked by thieves.
“We already have cases of people who were attacked by thieves while coming from the bar.
“This has to end because we benefited a lot from the bar,” said one man only identified as Changaz.
Zanu-PF provincial secretary for security Mr Tongai Nheta said council should reconsider its decision.
He claimed some of the money realised from the beer hall was used for maintaining roads in their ward.
“The elderly are now sending underage boys to buy beer at other bottle stores and they are abusing them,” he said.
“This is a matter which needs to be revisited.
“Anyone who wants to take over should just come up with the idea of running a beer-hall not a bank or a furniture shop.
“Instead of concentrating on service delivery, council is busy embarking on shoddy deals.”
Among the outlets leased are Machipisa in Highfield, Tangai Bar in Dzivaresekwa, Wedza spaceman in Glen Norah and Nenyere in Mbare.