PPC ‘evicts’ 250 tenants

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
PRETORIA Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe has ordered 250 tenants occupying its Colleen Bawn houses to vacate the properties by the end of the year. The company has since issued notices of termination of lease of agreement to all tenants who are not workers of the company. The notices dated September 24, 2015, read: “Due to the current expansion and rationalisation process, it has become apparent that we’ll require the house you’re currently occupying. This letter serves to give you notice to vacate the house and seek alternative accommodation. While we’re aware that the lease agreement requires us to give you one month notice to vacate the house, we expect you to have vacated the premises by 31 December. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.”

The notices bear the signature of PPC Colleen Bawn general manager Kelibone Masiyane.

Tenants who spoke to Business Chronicle said while they appreciated the company’s right to its property, they believed the move was rather “harsh”.

“We’re seeing an element of dishonesty by PPC because they’re not willing to have a dialogue with us over the issue,” said a tenant who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation.

The tenants said the move would negatively affect their lives as some were working in the surrounding areas while others had children attending nearby schools. “Some of us have been living in these houses for almost 30 years and this should not be the way we should be treated. Where do they expect all these people to go? Certainly, the government should intervene because they want to make our lives difficult,” said Lungisani Ndlovu.

It is alleged the firm plans to hand over the property to Gwanda Rural District Council.

The local authority’s chief executive officer Ronnie Sibanda confirmed PPC had approached them over handing over the high density area where the tenants reside, but said the matter was still under discussion.

“The RDC has nothing to do with the eviction notices,” he said.

Masiyane could not be reached for comment.