×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

MP accuses investor of short-changing villagers

News
ZANU PF Hurungwe North MP Reuben Marumahoko has accused an investor in the area of short-changing villagers after their co-operative and pre-school were destroyed to make way for a Highway Trauma Centre whose development has remained pie in the sky.

ZANU PF Hurungwe North MP Reuben Marumahoko has accused an investor in the area of short-changing villagers after their co-operative and pre-school were destroyed to make way for a Highway Trauma Centre whose development has remained pie in the sky.

By Nhau Mangirazi

Pesket Transport owned by Leonard Manhanhanha intended to develop a state of the art clinic in the Nyamakate area in 2010 at a site where there was a women’s cooperative building, a preschool and community borehole.

“I am not happy about what is being done at Lima business centre as the community is set to lose out. Why would we push other people out of business to accommodate an individual?” said Marumahoko.

The MP said Manhanhanha was allocated a 34 hectare plot and allegedly fenced the community borehole making it impossible for villagers to access clean water.

Manhanhanha said he could not comment over the phone. “I am sorry. I cannot comment over the phone. Come to my office so that we talks face to face,’’ he said in a short telephone interview.

The area is under Chief Chundu along Harare-Chirundu highway, about a few kilometres from where 43 people died on the spot when a Lusaka bound King Lion bus veered off the road before overturning. Ward seven councillor Jealousy Matesanwa reportedly brought the investor who had promised to build a health institution with better facilities to help accident victims who are normally ferried to Karoi about an hour’s drive.

The 18 member Tauya Chose Cooperative fell in the trap after their building was destroyed to pave way for the project.

Villagers also accuse Matesanwa of grabbing the parking zone.

“There are two guards paid by few trucks that still park here during the night but we do not know if the money is remitted to council as they do not have a license,” said a villager.

However, Matesanwa denied that villagers were left vulnerable after their projects were destroyed.

“Something is being done to help the affected women. The owner of the premise had fallen sick but I can tell you that he bought 30 000 bricks to construct the building,” he said.

“We were just waiting for the ministry of lands to peg the site and I can tell you that between August and September this year, the building will be complete.”

Former cooperative chairlady Irene Kaparamura (57) was in tears as she narrated their ordeal.

She recalled how their building was razed to the ground with promises that it will not take long to be rebuild and resume operations but time is not on their side.

“We got cement donations from Freedom from Hunger Campaign and built our own structure. It kicked off as a sewing cooperative and later ventured into beerhall marketing,” Kaparamura said. “Our project served us well as we used to get all the basics on our own as families. We could get money for daily basics including salt, soap, sugar and pay school fees for our kids but it is all gone.’’

The incident that took place on Sunday 10 October remains vivid as if it happened yesterday with every member giving collaborating evidence.

Rosina Hondoyemoto (58 ) who was the cooperative security officer has travelled to Makuti and Harare on several occasions for an update on progress and has since given up.

“It is all empty promises and we are suffering. No one can come to our side and help us. Neither can they fulfil their promise for the clinic that they claimed was to going to be among the best within Southern Africa serving northern countries including Zambia, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo among others,” she revealed.

Former secretary Margaret Kachingamire (60) of Pama village said eight members have since died.

“There seem to be nothing for us and our children as well as the community at large. Our building was destroyed and the clinic has not been built but it is wild goose chase,” she said.

However, another villager Luxmore Mutambirwa of Kilo village claimed the buildings were destroyed to get to John Dindiwe , a political activist and businessman whose business was thriving.

Dindiwe an MDC-T provincial member said the destruction of the premises was more of a disaster to the community than to him.

“I used to employ 20 people here and women project was bringing food on their table but it is now a total loss. I have lease for a business here and someone due to lack of wisdom grabbed my truck inn project collecting overnight packing payment but they do not have facilities to talk about,” he said.