By Beatific Gumbwanda
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) is haunting Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI) which they blocked from deducting money from civil servants who were supposed to get residential stands from Buffalo Range’s 750 hectares meant for Chiredzi town expansion.
In July 2024, CHIRRA sought a court order barring FLOAAI Director Pastor Nelson Godfrey Madanyaya from selling unserviced residential stands, which was granted by Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Zisengwe.
“The first respondent and all those acting through him should stop selling any stands on the 750 hectares Remainder of Buffalo Range, Chiredzi until after servicing of the stands and being issued with a compliance certificate by the second and third respondents,” read the order.
Chiredzi Town Council and Chiredzi Rural District Council were the second and third respondents in the application.
In response, FLOAAI, through its Facebook page, Buffalo Sweets Chiredzi assured stakeholders that they will stop selling stands until they have been issued with a compliance certificate.
“On the second of July 2024, the High Court sitting in Masvingo granted an order to stop selling of stands until compliance on the Remainder of Buffalo Range which is currently being developed to meet compliance requirements with Chiredzi councils.
“Full Life Open Arms Africa Housing Trust will comply with the High Court Order without fail. Please note that the High Court did not order any cancellation of existing arrangements,” read part of the statement.
Efforts to get a comment from Madanyaya were futile, as usual as it has become a habit that he does not answer calls from this reporter.
FLOAAI however continued to deduct money from civil servants salaries registered with them, which CHIRRA said was akin to them still selling the stands.
CHIRRA, through the Messenger of Court served FLOAAI with an urgent notice, urging them to cease the deduction of any money from promised home seekers.
“CHIRRA is reminding you and FLOAAI to abide by the Masvingo High Court Case Number HSMSVCAPP72/23 Judgment and order between CHIRRA and FLOAAI which was handed down on the 2nd of July 2024 by Justice Zisengwe J.
“Please stop the deduction from teachers’ salaries, who are paying for unserviced stands through stop order by SSB, and workers who are paying each month.
“FLOAAI is not allowed to sell stands at 750ha Remainder of Buffalo Range,” read part of the urgent notice.
FLOAAI had been selling unserviced residential stands at the cost of US$20.61 per m2 , with one supposed to deposit US$1500 and pay the balance in installments over a period of four years.
A non-refundable fee of US$50 was requested in order to open a file with FLOAAI.
The company did a feasibility study for the 750 hectares and to develop 350ha phase one and handed it over to Chiredzi Town and Rural District Councils.
FLOAAI Directors, Madanyaya and Dr Andrew Chigudu have a pending case of fraud for allegedly using 1 700 residential stands as collateral for a US$1.2 million loan they got from NMB bank which was intended to pay for the feasibility studies.
They are being accused of misleading both councils by presenting 1 700 residential stands as security in order to secure a loan from NMB Bank for the purposes of developing the Buffalo Range Project and allegedly diverted the funds for personal use.
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