GWANDA residents in Ward 4 on Monday night burnt tyres in protest over a move by the Zanu PF-led municipality to a house in the high-density suburb to someone from outside the ward. ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
The house in Old Jahunda was almost burnt down by angry protesters after the new occupant arrived at night from Ward 8 to take occupancy.
The Gwanda Town Council recently announced that it would be evicting scores of residents that were allegedly renting its houses illegally.
Council owns 413 houses that are being rented out, but subletting has been rife.
“The arrangement was that those occupying one-roomed houses would be moved into the three-roomed houses when they became vacant, but we are surprised to see someone from another township coming to take over the house,” said an Old Jahunda resident.
Council’s health and housing committee chairperson Thulani Moyo downplayed the protest saying it was merely a group of drunken youths.
“The protest was organised by a group of youths and they are getting it all wrong. The new occupant has been occupying a council house in another township and we have just moved him to the new house because the house he was occupying should be occupied by our nursing staff. He lost his wife who was a nurse and we just found him alternative accommodation,” said Moyo.
The residents said they would continue with the protests until the matter was addressed.
