adminlow-density stands saying the figure is beyond the reach of many.
In separate interviews on Wednesday, residents said the price was unaffordable and urged Government to intervene.
Usually council land is cheaper than stands sold by private land developers.
Beitbridge Town Council allocated 140 low-density stands as it moves to ease housing problems that have perennially dogged the border town.
Another 1 100 high-density stands and 300 medium-density stands will soon be allocated to residents.
The low-density suburb stands are 10 000 square metres in size.
It is understood that the local authority is demanding a deposit of R50 000 up front with remainder to be paid under a payment plan agreed with the town treasurer.
“We are really concerned over the councils’ decision to peg the fees for low density stands at US$14 000 (R100 000), this figure is beyond the reach of many, we are now appealing for the Government to intervene.
“We are just a small town and this figure is just astronomical.
“We are calling on them to revise the figure downwards because very few people will afford to buy these stands.
“As residents we wish the figure be revised to around US$5 000 and they come up with flexible payment methods,” said one resident who chose anonymity.
Another resident identified only as Mr Shumba said council’s price was discouraging people who wanted to invest in the border town.
He said that US$14 000 was very speculative, considering that a lot of work needed to be done to transform the town’s current outlook.
“We are calling on the local authority to come up with reasonable fees which everyone can afford. As much as they badly need money they should also consider our plight as residents,” said Mr Shumba.
Beitbridge Business Association chairman Mr Salatiel Roy Muleya said there was nothing wrong with the figure adding that it was arrived at following wide consultations with all the key stakeholders.
“Beitbridge needs a state-of-the-art low density suburb like any other progressive town. The whole idea is to have people with the requisite resources to build proper houses with market value.
“People should understand that we are just a new town moving towards attaining municipality status.
“There is no need for an outcry because a lot of stands for low income earner will soon be allocated to them. This R100 000 was arrived at following a scientific study on the area where the suburb will be set up,” he said.
“The cost of servicing the stands, which is tarring (roads), sewer, water, street lights and carrying out other logistic issues is US$2 million.
“As the business association we understand that the outcry is coming from people who want the stands for speculative purposes.
“Literally the local authority has no money and as the residents we need to service them ourselves and hence those who are serious should pay the quoted fees,” he said.
Town secretary Dr Sipho Singo said the price was pegged following consultations with other stakeholders.
“You will realise that people were getting stands at low prices and reselling them at that same money.
“Now that we are charging that same money, they don’t want it to get into the council coffers.
“We don’t want a middleman between the local authority and lands.
“This money we have quoted will be used for servicing the stands and come up with a state of the art suburb from the onset,” Dr Singo said.
“We are saying people should understand that this is an urban set up and hence a lot of things will have to change so that we transform our town into a medium size city.
“Very soon we will be releasing another 1 100 high density and 300 medium density stands which are meant for low income earners,” he said.
The town’s housing waiting list stands at over 6 000.
Online Reporter