adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
POLICE yesterday blocked the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) from demonstrating against the auctioning of 23 houses and residential stands to recover varying amounts owed to banks, micro finance companies and the Bulawayo City Council. The lobby group had threatened to block the sale, which was conducted in the city by Hollands Auctioneers, a company with offices in Harare and Mutare, citing irregularities in procedures taken to auction the properties.
Speaking after the auction, AAG vice president Sam Ncube said police cancelled their clearance yesterday morning.
He, however, said he was happy that out of the 23 properties, the sale of 12 of them was cancelled following negotiations between their owners and the respective institutions they owe.
“The police disappointed us. We advised them of our plans last week and they gave us clearance to demonstrate against the sale of these properties. They sent us a last minute message before the auction and told us that we could no longer proceed with the demonstration,” said Ncube.
He said he was happy that the auction was not successful because the sale of some of the properties was cancelled.
“We’re happy that this was a non-event. The sale of 12 properties was cancelled after the owners agreed on payment plans and we are challenging the sale of the five properties that went for a song,” said Ncube.
He urged the owners of the properties that were auctioned yesterday to approach the AAG so that they could be assisted in negotiating for payment plans and reverse the sale.
He accused financial institutions of charging high interest rates on loans, which he said made it difficult for people to pay back.
Most of the affected residents owe banks, micro finance companies and the Bulawayo City Council substantial amounts.
Institutions owed include CABS, ZB Bank, POSB, CBZ, NMB, BancABC, Kingdom and Rennaisance Merchant Bank. Included on the list of those owed are National Blankets and Untu micro finance.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo yesterday refused to comment on the issue.
Online Reporter