Zimpapers Logo

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
KWEKWE City Council will soon demolish two single –roomed blocks in Mbizo Section 7 which have been declared unfit for human habitation, the mayor, Councillor Matenda Madzoke, said yesterday. He said the blocks, which were constructed many years before independence, were now an eyesore. Clr Madzoke said some of the residents occupying the dilapidated houses would be accommodated in the recently constructed 10 by two-roomed houses in Mbizo Section 22.

“We’re going to demolish these two blocks in Section 7 which are no longer fit to accommodate people. There are many families who are living in these sub-standard structures and we will be moving them to modern houses,” he said.

Clr Madzoke said a council resolution was passed on Monday to the effect that the new two-roomed houses will be allocated to some of the families whose sub- standard structures will be demolished.

He said the new houses were constructed using council funds and the target was to accommodate low-income earners and less-privileged residents.

“These are low cost houses for Kwekwe residents and once we demolish the blocks, we are going to construct more houses which will be allocated to our people,” said Clr Madzoke.

He said independent auditors would be called in to allocate the houses to ensure transparency.

In a related matter, Clr Madzoke said the city council was not going to demolish the three houses constructed under electricity power lines in Mbizo East before the occupants are given alternative stands.

He said the beneficiaries were allocated the stands legally by a late council official.

Clr Madzoke’s comments come at a time when the works and planning committee is pushing for the demolition of the houses, arguing that the land was acquired illegally.

Meanwhile, the council is drafting a by-law which will make it a punishable offence to litter the streets.

Clr Madzoke said the by-law had been necessitated by the need to keep the city clean.

He said Kwekwe was now one of the dirtiest cities in the country.

Clr Madzoke said the drafting of the by-law was now being handled by the council’s legal department which will align it with the country’s environmental laws which criminalises littering by individuals and companies, particularly those in the retailing and advertising sector.

Environmental Management Agency Act also prohibits littering by motorists and passengers. Throwing litter off vehicles attracts a $20 fine or three months imprisonment or both.