Philemon Jambaya
Chitungwiza Town Council has continued to annihilate the town recreational facilities, turning them into residential or commercial properties.
The council in 2020 turned the famous Chibuku Stadium, which used to be home to Chitungwiza-based Fire Batteries and Darryn Textiles back then, into a car park.
Part of Zengeza 2 Grounds has been turned into residential stands, a fate which has also befallen part of St Mary’s /Macheka Grounds, which was invaded by well-known land barons operating in the dormitory town.
At the moment, council is up in arms with residents who are trying to stop them from giving an organisation only identified as UPF from converting the whole Zengeza 5 recreational facility into residential and commercial properties.
According to sources within the Council, a directive was given by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo to settle an unknown debt with UPF using the ground and the council, which is dominated by Citizens Coalition for Change councillors, seems to have upheld the decision in a move which has shocked residents.
Chitungwiza Municipality is well-known for defying most of Moyo’s orders but curiously, they did not object to this one with some councillors (names withheld) taking to social media platforms to defend the move.
Chitungwiza Residents Trust Director Alice Kuveya said residents were equally shocked that the council decided to settle their debts using a recreational facility.
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“We are shocked to hear that one of the few grounds left was sold/exchanged to pay debts, there was no consultation; even our councillors never mentioned it. We are not happy with the way Chitungwiza Municipality is operating.
“They don’t respect residents. We are just invited to rubber stamp their deals, we won’t fold our hands. We are meeting to see how we are going to solve this problem,” Kuveya said.
Former Ward 7 Councillor Charamba Mlambo said that council should have opted to settle their debt using virgin land in Nyatsime.
“The council should have told the Minister that they can have virgin land in Nyatsime not Zengeza 5 Ground,” Mlambo said.
Zengeza 5 Grounds has produced several players who went to play at the highest level in the country and some have since crossed the borders and they owe their success to Zengeza 5 Grounds.
Some residents have argued that the Zengeza 5 recreational facility is of sentimental value to them.
“This ground has great memories, and it should remain as a recreational facility, not to be sold for a song or for anything,” said Simba Mbengu of Zengeza 5.
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