Brighton Chiseva
Zaka – Mobile network giant Econet Wireless seems to have abandoned a booster construction project near Jecha Business Centre, in Chief Nhema area, Zaka over allegations of Zanu PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) clashes.
Local sources said work was supposed to have started beginning of November but no progress nor communication has reached the locals who suspect that Econet could have been put off by political interference where the local headman is accused of having tried to bar a perceived CCC member amongst the contractors.
The traditional leader, Headman Svina born Timothy Matande is alleged to have demanded for an undisclosed amount of cash as payment for them to erect the booster in his area.
Zaka Central Constituency Coordinator Kefas Makiya confirmed lack of progress at the site and said as a community they were worried since they were hoping that network challenges would be addressed sooner.
“We are not sure what is going on and we are worried as a community. The area had been cleared and building material like concrete has already been delivered to the site. I urge them not to listen to village talk and progress with work and help locals,” said Makiya.
He went on to say Econet was not supposed to be put off by village talks saying work could not be stopped simply because of what people are saying regarding the employment of a CCC member.
He added that the issue of paying the headman should not be a problem saying it was common practice but was supposed to be done in a manner that does not hinder progress.
He said there was nothing wrong in giving traditional leaders a token of appreciation when doing such a massive project in their area of jurisdiction but that was supposed to be done in a manner that serves the interests of locals.
“When any entity wants to do a project in an area they approach the local leaders and they are usually given a token of appreciation and what’s wrong with that? That cannot be the issue and I implore Econet to continue with work and help the community,” said Makiya.
Repeated efforts to contact the headman in question and the councilor Simeon Chakazani were futile as their mobile phones were unreachable most probably because of poor connectivity.
Sources however allege that the headman demanded payment as well as the removal of the alleged CCC member from the contractors.
“When the place was cited, village heads around were asked to second people for manual work at the construction site. However, the headman whose homestead is close to the site seconded his in-law. The Econet guys asked if all the surrounding homesteads had seconded individuals and it was discovered that only two out of five households had representatives.
“So when the headman was asked to include members from the remaining three households, he then said he wanted payment since they were operating in his area. They then told him that they would enquire from the superiors to consider both requests by the headman.
“That is when they stopped and then the headman went on to report to Zanu PF top officials in the district that a member of CCC Obvious Kwenda was among those employed and sought for his removal,” said the source.
When contacted for comment, Kwenda said he was approached by several Zanu PF members who told him that the local party leadership was not happy with him being part of those contracted by the telecoms giant but said he was not sure why work had not commenced yet.
“I was approached by several Zanu PF members who told me that they had meetings where I was discussed with the leadership questioning why I was among those nominated to work on the project.
“I am not even sure if I am going to work when they come because we were told that work would start on November 1 but up to now there is nothing and we are still waiting. I am eager to work and this has nothing to do with political orientation,” said Kwenda.
Another source accused the headman of hindering development by being self- centered and prioritise his own benefit at the expense of the general public.
A high placed source from Econet however said work was in progress offsite saying there was some progress and the project was on course with a completion target of April 2024.
“Work is ongoing as we speak, the target is completing the project by April next year. So what happens is people may see no progress on the ground but work is ongoing offsite. Maybe material is being collaged for shipping once, so that work can start once the needed material has been placed on site to avoid ups and downs,” said the source.
Other sources from the area accused local leadership of greediness saying almost a similar situation disturbed the establishment of another booster at Fube Clinic.
