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A FLYING instructor has approached Rusape Town Council with a proposal to purchase the idle Rusape Aerodrome with the intention to carry out aircraft flying lessons and landings for private flights.
The Rusape Aerodrome is situated near Lake Rusape in a farm which is at the centre of ownership row between businessman, Mr Norman Sachikonye and the town council.
The aerodrome was previously used by the former white owners of the farm.
However, Mr Cosmas Nyamutswa, the director and chief flying instructor of Professional Pilot Training’s application to buy the aerodrome has hit a snag after a full council meeting held last month turned it down.
The full council agreed that the land was State land being managed by the council, hence it was not possible and proper to sale it to Mr Nyamutswa, who traces his roots to Tandi communal lands.
In an interview, Rusape Town Council secretary Mr Joshua Maligwa, said the council was not turning away hard-to-come by investors, but were opposed to the nature of Mr Nyamutswa’s application. He said council was prepared to lease the aerodrome to Mr Nyamutswa than selling it.
“We did not turn down Mr Nyamutswa’s application but we are not agreeing with his proposal to buy the aerodrome.
“We cannot sell that important asset to a private company or individuals.
“Actually the council is excited that there are people like him (Nyamutswa) who can identify investment opportunities in our town.
“The aerodrome is on State land under Rusape Town Council, so it means we also had to involve the parent ministry.
“The aerodrome could be leased out to him for some years.
“As council, we want to build a very strong economy around Lake Rusape such as the airport, golf course, hotels, boating clubs and electricity generation.
“We are actually inviting more potential investors of Nyamutswa’s nature to come and invest in Rusape especially around the lake,” he said.
Online Reporter