Senior Zanu PF and government officials allocated houses at Nehanda Housing Co-operative in Dzivarasekwa Extension in Harare at the expense of paid-up members, are allegedly blocking efforts to bring the ousted Never Kowo-led executive to justice.
BY Christopher Mahove
This follows allegations of embezzlement of more than $3 million of co-operative funds.
The deputy chairperson of the interim executive, Enesia Gutu told NewsDay recently that the crisis at the co-operative now needed a political solution.
But Kowo yesterday accused Gutu of lying, adding she was “a defaulter who had only paid her subscriptions for only one month”. “What $3 million is she talking about? She doesn’t know what she’s saying,” Kowo fumed.
Kowo also said Gutu was a “rebel” and he wanted nothing to do with her.
Gutu however, said they would soon approach Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa to solicit his support in restoring order at the 20-year-old housing scheme.
She alleged the old executive was using members’ subscriptions to fight them at the courts. Gutu said the only hope for members was through the political structures as they had no money to defend themselves in courts.
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“We have resolved that we should go and see the Vice-President because the developments here are tarnishing the image of the party (Zanu PF) and government. This co-operative was meant for the poor people, who include widows and orphans, yet most of them have not benefitted,” Gutu said.
Among the undeserving beneficiaries, Gutu said, were Cabinet ministers, government principal directors and Zanu PF Harare provincial executives.
More than $3 million in members’ subscriptions was allegedly unaccounted for at the co-operative, with members accusing the previous executive of misusing the money.
Gutu, whose executive’s election is being challenged by Kowo, claimed senior Zanu PF and government officials were allocated houses which were meant for members. She said some members had paid the full amounts for the houses, but were yet to be allocated. Gutu claimed one recently re-assigned Cabinet minister was allocated a house, while “almost everyone” at the Small-to-Medium Enterprises ministry has got a house which they never paid for.
“That is why they are protecting Kowo and his executive. This was initially a co-operative for the poor, but they are being sidelined while those who have not paid a penny are benefitting,” she said. Gutu said they had taken the matter to the police, but no action had been taken yet.
“We want to know why these people have not been arrested. We are convinced that senior government and party officials who benefitted from the scam at Nehanda are protecting these people,” she said.
“If they did not benefit, why would these guys not be arrested, who is behind all this? Even a tomato thief is brought to book, but we are surprised that those who have stolen from the poor and continue to do so, are left to walk scot-free. This is a disgrace to the ruling party and the government.”
