Nyatsime home seekers mull class action lawsuit ag...

Nyatsime home seekers mull class action lawsuit against Chitungwiza Municipality

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Thousands of aggrieved home seekers in Nyatsime are considering a class action lawsuit against Chitungwiza Municipality over its failure to deliver residential stands despite receiving payment over a decade ago. The move comes after repeated attempts to engage the municipality have been met with complacency and excuses.

A representative of the affected individuals, Bothwell Mahobele said that the class action lawsuit is a last resort to seek justice and accountability from the cash-strapped council. "We have been waiting for 16 years for our stands, and the municipality's inaction is unacceptable," he said.

The aggrieved home seekers purchased their stands between 2006 and 2010, but have yet to receive formal allocation. The total losses incurred by the affected individuals are estimated at US$10 million, accounting for the initial purchase prices, interest, and opportunity costs.

The class action lawsuit will be filed within the next few weeks, once all necessary documentation is finalized. The legal team representing the home seekers will focus on the municipality's breach of contract, failure to deliver residential stands, lack of accountability, and the financial losses incurred by the affected individuals.

Chitungwiza Municipality has acknowledged the issue and stated that the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is seized with the matter. However, the ministry has admitted that efforts to resolve the issue have so far been unsuccessful.

The Nyatsime housing scheme has been plagued by challenges for years, with the government's intervention in 2021 through the establishment of a joint committee failing to produce results. The committee, which was later replaced by Urdcorp, has been unable to address the needs of the home seekers.