Monalisa
Matongo
Masvingo City Council is wantonly
turning away investors on spurious technicalities while ignoring the glaring
developmental shortcomings of the city, it has been learnt.
turning away investors on spurious technicalities while ignoring the glaring
developmental shortcomings of the city, it has been learnt.
In late 2018, council turned down an
application by renowned businessman, Wonderful Mutangiri to establish a private
hospital in the industrial area saying the location was not suitable.
application by renowned businessman, Wonderful Mutangiri to establish a private
hospital in the industrial area saying the location was not suitable.
The city fathers claimed that the
industrial area was noisy and that the surroundings were filled with impurities
that were hazardous to human health.
industrial area was noisy and that the surroundings were filled with impurities
that were hazardous to human health.
A close source, however, said Mutangiri
was denied a license because he did not pay a bribe which senior officials had
expected.
was denied a license because he did not pay a bribe which senior officials had
expected.
The Public Works and Planning Committee,
which is chaired by Cllr Tarusenga Vhembo of Ward 3, recently rejected an
application by Mr A. and E. Masocha to build a hospitality school due to ‘incompatibility
of the proposed development with the current land use’.
which is chaired by Cllr Tarusenga Vhembo of Ward 3, recently rejected an
application by Mr A. and E. Masocha to build a hospitality school due to ‘incompatibility
of the proposed development with the current land use’.
Council minutes state that Stand Number
1394 Beryl Road, where the investors intended to build the hospitality school, was
designed strictly for industrial use and could, therefore, not be altered for
any other use.
1394 Beryl Road, where the investors intended to build the hospitality school, was
designed strictly for industrial use and could, therefore, not be altered for
any other use.
“The predominant usage, currently motor
vehicle repairs, would not be compatible with learning”, the minutes read.
vehicle repairs, would not be compatible with learning”, the minutes read.
In the previous full council meeting, some
councillors, however, felt rules were being selectively applied as Great Zimbabwe
University (GZU) was a few years ago allowed to establish a campus in the same
area.
councillors, however, felt rules were being selectively applied as Great Zimbabwe
University (GZU) was a few years ago allowed to establish a campus in the same
area.
“We have to be consistent when
considering issues. We cannot reject a proposal for a learning institution in
an area with a running university campus,” said Cllr Godfrey Kurauone of Ward
4.
considering issues. We cannot reject a proposal for a learning institution in
an area with a running university campus,” said Cllr Godfrey Kurauone of Ward
4.
A council insider who spoke to TellZim
News said a domineering cabal was running the show in council, vetoing all
proposals that did not suit its corrupt interests.
News said a domineering cabal was running the show in council, vetoing all
proposals that did not suit its corrupt interests.
“Why not offer alternative land to
investors rather than just turn them away? Who in their right minds would just
say no to a potential investor and turn away when every urban area is so
desperate for investment?
investors rather than just turn them away? Who in their right minds would just
say no to a potential investor and turn away when every urban area is so
desperate for investment?
‘Rhodene was designed as a residential
area but many people have applied and obtained change of use certificates for
their properties, and you now find many offices and pre-schools there so what’s
the difference?
area but many people have applied and obtained change of use certificates for
their properties, and you now find many offices and pre-schools there so what’s
the difference?
“This is the reason why this so-called
city is such a pathetic sight. We are known for being a place led by rude and
overzealous hangers-on who just want to line their pockets. That’s why even
Mvuma is doing better than us. Had Mtukudzi applied to build his Pakare Paya
Arts Centre in Masvingo, you can be sure he would have been turned down,” said
a council insider.
city is such a pathetic sight. We are known for being a place led by rude and
overzealous hangers-on who just want to line their pockets. That’s why even
Mvuma is doing better than us. Had Mtukudzi applied to build his Pakare Paya
Arts Centre in Masvingo, you can be sure he would have been turned down,” said
a council insider.
.
