Staff Reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)-led Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has found itself in hot water with stand owners in Magwegwe and Pumula who are accusing the council of failing to service stands that were purchased over eight years ago.

According to a source within the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), the council's failure to develop the stands has left the stand owners fearing that they might not get their stands at all.

"The residents are understandably frustrated. They bought these stands with the expectation of building homes for their families, yet the council has done absolutely nothing to develop the area. There is no water, no roads, and no drainage. They now fear that they might not get their stands at all," said the source.

Additionally, the source highlighted that the inaction by BCC had not only caused inconvenience but also financial strain.

"Many of these families took out loans or used their savings to purchase these stands. Now they are paying rent while their land sits idle, generating no returns," said the source.

The source further revealed that the BCC's recent request for the stand owners to top up their payments in foreign currency, has only added fuel to the fire.

"This has really angered the residents. They haven't seen any progress on the stands since they bought them, and now the council is demanding more money. It's like they are adding salt to the wound," stated the source.

The source continued that the stand owners were now contemplating approaching lawyers for legal advice as efforts to engage the CCC councillors for assistance yielded nothing.

Efforts to reach BCC Mayor, David Coltart were futile as he was not picking up his calls.