Beverly Bizeki
Masvingo City councilors are complaining over the upsurge of conversions of residential properties into guest houses and lodges in wards 6 and 9 saying this was causing disorders in communities as owners were failing to adhere to regulations.
Speaking during the first full council meeting, ward 9 councilor Benard Muchokwa said the continued issuance of change of use of residential stands was worrying residents who were now complaining that lodge owners were making a lot of noise disturbing their peace.
“Most people in low density areas are converting their houses into guest houses, lodges or some party houses and we have been hearing complaints from neighbours of such people coming from events hosted at these places or generators, disturbing residents,” said Muchokwa.
Wilstaff Sitemere of ward 6 said council was supposed to look at the area before granting permission as one proposed house in his ward was in an area which recorded two cases of rape and the situation could be worsened if there is a lodge.
“I stay in target Kopje and there are issues of rape cases especially around this Shudu Street; there have been two cases of rape so I am not sure if this was noted during familiarization of the place,” said Sitemere.
However ward 8 councilor Richard Musekiwa said residents who were complaining were supposed to submit written complaints for council to take action saying they cannot take any action without formal complaints.
“Those who are complaining need to make their complaints formal too council so that we take action, they should tell us the area or property because some could be operating illegally, so we need to know the specific property before we do investigations,” said Musekiwa.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) board chairperson Thomas Mbetu said noise pollution and illegal parties coming from illegal guesthouses was a cause for concern, calling upon council and the police to act on these issues.
“As MURRA we are deeply concerned and worried about illegal lodges and guest houses in ward 9 and noise pollution through loud music and illegal parties, we also suspect that these illegal guesthouses are also becoming a den of robbers who are wreaking havoc in ward 9.
“We condemn these illegalities in the strongest possible terms. We call upon the city council and the ZRP to help us on these issues,” said Mbetu.
Ward 2 resident Dr Munyaradzi Chidarikire said of concern were use of unfinished and unoccupied houses as brothels were ladies of the night leave used condoms and mess the houses with urine which will then emit a stench into the residential area.
“In Victoria Ranch ward 2, Masvingo West there are a number of unfinished and unoccupied houses that are being used as brothels. Prostitutes use these houses, leave used condoms and urine, children then play with used condoms exposing them to diseases,” said Chidarikire.
He went on to urge the police to increase patrols and arrest those engaging in these acts.
