adminThe residents have rejected the resettlement on the grounds that they have been requesting to be allocated stands on the same piece of land since 1998. They are also concerned that the squatters to be resettled in their area could be social outcasts that could increase crime in their area.
Already, the petitions have been drafted and are being circulated in Pumula, Robert Sinyoka, Methodist and St Peter’s communities where signatures are being appended.
The project, which is meant to resettle 197 people, is being implemented by the BCC in conjunction with the Inter-national Organisation for Migration.
Residents rejected the project when they were first informed about it in February this year. Despite the rejection, the local authority remains adamant that it will continue with the resettlement.
Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said if the residents have drawn up a petition, it should be submitted to the BCC and the local authority would look into it.
He said for the time being the local authority’s decision to resettle squatters from Killarney remained on course because it was the local authority’s decision to resettle the squatters.
“Let the petition come. Meanwhile, the decision remains on course because it is council’s decision,” said Clr Moyo.
Turning to the residents’ concerns that the squatters from the Killarney area could be outcasts that would increase crime in their area, Clr Moyo said the resettlement exercise was a project that the BCC and the police were involved in. Therefore, he said, the residents could not say they do not want people to be resettled in their
area.
“This is the place we have for these squatters. It is dangerous for the residents of the area to make such accusations especially when they do not have any proof. They already have land for themselves,” said Clr Moyo.
Online Reporter