THE controversy surrounding ownership of Meikles Park located in the City of Mutare has taken a new twist with the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) claiming to be the rightful owners of the property.
OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
NSSA’s claims this week came hardly a month after the Ministry of Local Government took over the land and awarded it to a top Zanu PF official and Mutare businessman, Esau Mupfumi, on a four-year lease.
In a statement, NSSA accused the council of double-dipping.
Part of the statement reads: “NSSA wishes to place it on record for the benefit of the public that it purchased Meikles Park from City of Mutare and is currently involved in a civil court dispute with City of Mutare over the ownership of Meikles Park.
“NSSA further makes it clear that it obtained a High Court order interdicting the disposal or transferring of Meikles Park to any party whatsoever pending the final determination of the case No. HC11346/11 between NSSA and City of Mutare regarding ownership of Meikles Park.”
Last month, the Ministry of Local Government offered the land in question to Stallvic Enterprises, a company linked to Mupfumi, under a four-year lease agreement. As part of the lease agreement, Mupfumi’s firm is expected to pay an annual rental of $68 100.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare admitted the mix-up and said the city had offered to compensate NSSA with another piece of land from the 100 hectares promised by government.
- 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
“As a local authority, we have no mandate to stop the Ministry (of Local Government) from taking that piece of land,” Nhamarare said.
“However, as we are going to receive 100 hectares, we are going to compensate NSSA out of that land we are going to get from government,” he said.
The land is on the periphery of the city near Fern Valley.
However, it remains to be seen whether NSSA will be agreeable to the new land offer by the city council.
