by Patience Rashai
Citizens have come out guns glazing at the MDC-Alliance-led town councils, after exposure of land scams sucking in most of the opposition party’s top leadership, including the leader, Nelson Chamisa.
In tones of tweets responding to the scam, political foes were in a rare unison condemning the abuse of office by the MDC councillors, countrywide.
Commenting on the hypocrisy by the MDC Alliance’s top echelon, on corruption matters, former MDC-T Vice President, Obert Gutu lambasted the party, adding that corruption wasn’t a ZANU PF preserve, but pervasive across all political parties.
“For those of you folks who always argue that corruption is only permanently domiciled in ZANU PF territory, well, there you are.... If they have driven Harare City Council into a slum with raw sewage flowing all over in the townships, just imagine if you give them State power!”
Adding insight to the residential stands scandal, Patrick Chitaka said, “This scandal actually spans across all urban centres controlled by MDC-A. They even assigned a team headed by one Clifford Hlatshwayo who moved around the country identifying suitable land for parcelling out.”
Damning evidence against the party seems to be going against MDC A’s odds as fuming supporters seem to be taking corruption matters to heart.
This is not the first time that the MDC councillors have been roped in land scandals, as Chitungwiza has in the past gained notoriety over double allocation of stands.
Danny Mudhara, a Chitungwiza resident, chipped in to clearly bring out the party’s rot, attesting to his experience when he tried purchasing land in Chitungwiza.
“I once tried purchasing a stand in Chitungwiza haa zvaive zvakaoma all the stands belonged to the councillors and council workers. The buyer would pay $6000 to them and they would issue a council receipt of about $245 as if you bought direct from Chitungwiza Town Council and pocket the difference.”
Chitungwiza is one of the many town councils led by MDC-Alliance.
Adding her voice to the MDC-A’s rot, the Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) president, Linda Masarira questioned the party’s reluctance to exonerate Harare Mayor’s arrest on corruption and abuse of office allegations.
“Haven’t seen any advocacy around Mayor of Harare, Herbert Gomba has been silent about his arrest which is very weird considering how they love the media and hashtags. Pane nyaya apa!”
The MDC party has for long been marred in corrupt activities, with the late party president, Morgan Tsvangirai conceding to it, and requesting for a commission of inquiry in December 2015, into the operations of Harare councillors after allegations of corruption had been reported.
