Bulawayo City Council has resolved to immediately stop dealing with private property developers (PPPs), accusing them of short-changing residents.
Council said it had started sell over 1 633 residential stands to prospective home seekers on its waiting list following the move.
Simela Dube, the local authority’s director of engineering services, told a residents’ consultative meeting yesterday that the local authority had lost confidence in private developers.
“The PPPs we have at the moment have failed to live up to the expectations of residents and the local authority,” he said.
“Therefore, for now we have stopped dealing with them and our legal section is dealing with the issue.” Dube said to cushion residents, the local authority was selling over 1 633 stands in various areas on an affordable scheme.
“To try and avert the confusion that has been caused by private developers, we are selling stands to residents who have been on the housing waiting list at an affordable rate,” he said.
He said 147 stands were being sold in Pumula South and an additional 700 would be available next year in the same area.
One hundred and eighty-four stands were being sold in Emganwini, 300 in Mahatshula and 302 in Mahlangene.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The local authority has in the past engaged private housing developers to reduce its housing backlog, which stands at over 100 000.
Under the new housing scheme, residents pay an initial deposit of 35% of the total cost of the stand and another 35% is paid in six months with the balance of 30% to be paid over a period of 18 months.
