By Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Yeukai Simbanegavi has warned civil servants staying in government houses against abandoning or renting out houses, saying they risk being evicted.
Simbanegavi was speaking during the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at Masvingo Polytechnic last Sunday in preparation for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to the province on February 21 at Mushagashe Training Centre.
The deputy minister was responding to a concern that was raised over government houses that were dilapidating in different parts of the province since they were not occupied. She said civil servants were supposed to make sure that they kept the houses in shape or the government would replace them with others who need accommodation.
“Those who are living in government houses should make sure that they don’t abuse the houses or they risk being evicted. Those houses will be given to deserving civil servants. There are some whom we hear are now keeping goats and chickens in government houses. Some were told there were certain treasures at their houses and they brought excavators to dig,” said Simbanegavi.
Contacted for comment on the sidelines of her sentiments, Simbanegavi said several civil servants who were allocated houses were abusing them especially when they get alternative accommodation they either abandon or rent out.
“Several government workers especially those from Agritex are working in their home areas where if allocated with a government house, they will opt to stay at their homes leaving the allocated house. Others, especially those in growth points and towns, would get their own houses and then rent out government houses to students. If one gets alternative accommodation he or she must surrender the house so that it benefits others,” said Simbanegavi.
However, other sources said her statements were directed to Zaka District Development Coordinator Memory Dhliwayo who was once served with an eviction notice late last year after she was found keeping goats and chickens in her government house at Zaka.
“She was referring to Madam DDC, she was once served with an eviction letter last year after she was found running a goat project in the house. The house is too big and she never uses another section of it that is why she was using the other wing for her projects.
“She is also the one who allegedly brought excavators with the intention of digging for some treasure she had heard was buried within the premises,” said the source.
Sources had earlier told TellZim News that two excavators were brought to the DDCs house but it later turned out that it was illegal for her to do as she pleased without prior consent from relevant authorities.
“A certain white guy reportedly came to the DDC and claimed that his father was the first District Administrator (DA) of Zaka district therefore, he left some treasures buried underground at the house. This prompted the DDC to hire excavators but when the responsible authorities asked her she claimed that she wanted to dig a fish pond. The police had to be called and they guarded the heavy machines for some days before they were sent back,” said the source.
When contacted for comment however, Dhliwayo dropped the line soon after the reporter introduced self and asked for a comment on the matter. Further attempts to get a comment from her were fruitless as she did not pick the calls. This has become Dhliwayo’s norm and style of dropping calls once a reporter from TellZim introduces themself and asks for a comment.
