A DISPUTE has erupted between Ashdown Park Residents and Ratepayers Association (APRRA) and Heartfelt International Ministries (HIM) over the hosting of a three-day crusade in the residential area.
The pastor Benny Hinn healing crusade, which is set to start on October 10, has been met with backlash from residents as they flag security concerns and unfair closure of roads in the area when the event commences.
In an interview with NewsDay, APRRA chairperson Muriel Shingai Mangwende said the church did not seek permission to conduct the crusade, which is reportedly expected to attract at least 100 000 attendees from the country and across the region.
“Residents are not happy about being left out by the church [programme] from the initial stages of this event before the church even decided on a crusade in their area. They feel the church is trying to use them to sanitise what it had already started,” Mangwende said.
“Or in other words being called in when the horse has already bolted. Residents feel consultations should have been done earlier and their input taken on board.
“The residents are also not happy about Rosedene Drive being closed as most Bloomingdale residents use this road to access their homes.
“Harare Drive is also a very busy road since it is a highway as well, but residents feel if crusade is held, it will be forced to close as most of those attending will also use Harare Drive. So it is difficult to differentiate passersby, residents of Ashdown Park from those attending the crusade.”
However, Mangwende said complaints lodged with relevant authorities like the Harare City Council, had been fruitless as HIM was already preparing for the event.
- Residents, church clash over 3-day crusade
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APRRA also complained of damage caused to drainage systems and underground pipes during the clearance and preparation of the crusade site.
“The noise and dust pollution is another worrying issue for residents as they have always been complaining about noise emanating from the church for years. So they are worried about noise as well as dust caused by the crowds attending the crusade.
“There have been complaints about the church damaging some underground pipes and blocking drains as they were clearing the land.
“According to residents, the church seems to be estimating or doing trial and error in their planning of this crusade as they have not taken many things into consideration and looked at how practical their plans are pertaining to this crusade.
“Residents see more negatives than positives in the hosting of the event at this venue. So they suggest that the church looks into all the concerns they raised.”
HIM is reported to have failed to secure suitable a place to host the event, hence opting for Ashdown Park.
“The church also went around different venues all over Harare, but could not find a suitable venue for the event as venues like the National Sports Stadium are … under renovation. So they decided on Ashdown Park as they also want the grace of the Man of God, Benny Hinn, to be in Mabelreign,” Mangwende said.
Efforts to get a comment from HIM representatives were fruitless as they were not reachable until the time of going to print.
