BULAWAYO City Council is investigating claims that disgraced Harare pastor Martin Gumbura’s End Time Message Church started developing a stand for a car park without approval.
Staff Reporter
According to minutes tabled at a full council meeting last week, Gumbura’s church was allocated a stand in Nkulumane for a car park and made an application for a development permit.
Councillor Gideon Mangena reportedly noted that construction was already in progress at this site despite the fact that the application was still pending and the development permit had not yet been granted.
“This was not normal and should not be encouraged,” part of the minutes read. “Proper procedure must be adhered to for control purposes.”
Cowdray Park councillor Collet Ndhlovu noted that the applicants had “jumped the gun” and this he said could be addressed by imposition of a penalty as had happened in the past on similar cases.
Town clerk Middleton Nyoni said cases of people flouting council regulations on development permits were on the increase and there was need to put an end to the illegal practices.
They recommended the matter be referred back to the Town Lands and Planning Committee for further investigations. Gumbura is facing charges of allegedly raping several women from his church. He has 11 wives and 30 children.
