…Madanyaya ‘targets’ Musikavanhu, Baloyi for shunning corruption
…Intimidations, bribery rocks project
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-With allegations of corruption on the development of Chiredzi’s 750 hectares meant for urban expansion reaching climax, Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu and Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ailes Baloyi have allegedly been targeted by Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI) Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) Pastor Godfree Nelson Madanyaya for allegedly calling the process corrupt and not serving the best interests of residents, TellZim News can reveal.
A few weeks ago, Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC) Lovemore Chisema convened a closed-door stakeholder meeting with Chiredzi Town Council, Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC), FLOAAI, Joint Operations Command (JOC), War Veterans, Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson Siyaki Mundungehama to deliberate on the correct position involving the processes of the land.
Literally the project was awarded as a joint venture between Chiredzi RDC and Chiredzi Town Council on the remainder of Buffalo Range for urban expansion after the late Zanu PF Provincial Secretary for Information Ronald Ndava and Former Chiredzi Town Council chairperson Francis Moyo approached the Ministry seeking land for urban expansion when they were ‘commissioners’ for Chiredzi Town Council.
FLOAAI, which is being accused for fronting the interests of Minister July Moyo, did a feasibility study for the project and are currently at an advanced stage on the planning process without prior knowledge to the beneficiary local authorities who were hoping to start servicing the land as a precursor to the sale of the stands for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.
Information gathered by TellZim News, indicated that FLOAAI, which had opened its offices at Croco Motors in Chiredzi, adjacent to the project, is currently selling serviced land to desperate home seekers in Chiredzi at a cost of US$20.61 per m2, with one being supposed to pay US$1 500 deposit in its ZB Bank, Account Number 4113671815405 and the remaining paid in installments.
Speaking during the stakeholder meeting, Madanyaya openly indicated that he was not in good books with Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu and Chiredzi RDC CEO Baloyi whom he referred to as ‘stumbling blocks’.
“I was given 1 700 stands by the two local authorities of which I am expecting to get more and we are now waiting for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate to start working on the 750 hectares, that is why we opened the office at Croco Motors. We are still set to meet with the two local authorities in order to update them on the progress of work.
“There is a lot of politics in this project by RDC, not Town Council who are saying that the project will never get to see the light of the day. I have consulted three members of parliament including Bhila, Masiya and Gwanetsa who gave green light to the project except Musikavanhu who is always speaking negatives about the project in newspapers.
“I even learnt that Musikavanhu and Baloyi are best friends and I never bothered to approach the CEO because I will be wasting my time,” said Madanyaya.
The project’s feasibility study indicated that there will be 6 042 stands, with 1 700 already been given to FLOAAI, 11 primary schools, five secondary schools, a university and five fuel service stations. A minimum of 300 hectares will be occupied by 40 high rising flats for residential purposes.
FLOAAI, during the stakeholder meeting, stammered on the number of stands which the two local authorities are set to benefit, with Chiredzi TC and Chiredzi RDC planners, Consider Kubiku and Takudzwa Chimanya openly indicating that the developer is not updating the two local authorities on the progress of work and they hear rumors that the developer is already selling the land.
Paul Kruger, Minister July Moyo’s right hand man has also claimed his 500 stands after he was approached to make designs on the water reticulation system for the project at the cost of US$ 3 million dollars.
Chiredzi TC vice chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire who vowed that the local authorities are going to get their full share of the cake blamed the local authority’s Acting Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma and CEO (Baloyi) for not following proper procedures by permitting the developer to sell stands in order for him to cover his debts acquired during the process.
“Mdara (Madanyaya), I don’t blame you but the Town Secretary and CEO. The letter which was written to you is not even known by the two local authorities. Mr Chimanya, do you know about this? These are the planners for the two local authorities who do not even know that. The CEO and Town Secretary are taking the two councils for a joy ride,” said Makumire.
The initial agreement of the project, which the current councilors have not glimpsed, was signed by the late Chiredzi Town Council Town Secretary Charles Muchatukwa and the current Secretary General for the Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe (ARDCZ) Isaac Matsilele when he was the Chief Executive Officer of Chiredzi RDC.
In an interview Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) chairperson Jonathan Muusha said they are saddened by the unsolicited process of hand picking FLOAAI as the developer who is currently owning the whole of 750 ha which is supposed to be benefitting the two local authorities who have20 000 people on the waiting list.
“We are pained by the corruption involving the 750 ha project which is now being allegedly owned by the developer. We are not happy with the unsolicited process done to pick the developer, which was facilitated by senior top officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, who are believed to have a stake in the land and also seasoned politicians in Chiredzi who are eying to have a stake in the 750 ha of land from Madanyaya.
“Due to influence and threats from the Ministry officials, the developer is now selling un-serviced stands against the government statutory obligations because he feels protected by senior politicians so we alerted ZACC and Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and we are just praying for their swift response,” said Muusha.
War veterans here in Chiredzi, forcefully closed Madanyaya’s offices in order to have a discussion on the allegations he is facing and said they are still investigating the matter in order to establish the correct position.
“We are still in the process of consultation and investigation. We wish to call out for an Indaba with residents, councils and the developer to set the record straight,” said Paul Makuni Chiredzi District Secretary for the War Veterans.
