Staff Reporter
In a move that has been viewed as a vote buying gimmick ahead of the 2023 Harmonised General Elections, the newly elected Harare Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors are illegally pushing to turn recreational centres in Harare into residential stands for party’s loyalists.
A source who confided in this publication revealed that the CCC councillors resolved to turn Sherwood Golf Course and Warren Hills Golf Course into residential stands, despite these areas being wetlands.
“The CCC councillors have resolved to turn Sherwood Golf Course and Warren Hills Golf Course into residential stands. These stands are expected to be dished out to party loyalists as a reward for standing with the party,” said the source.
The source added that as much as the move was illegal and illogical, the CCC councillors were directed by that party’s leader Nelson Chamisa to ensure that the Golf Courses are turned into residential stands that will be used as campaign tools for the 2023 elections.
“Chamisa told the CCC councillors that they should use residential stands as a campaign tool for the 2023 elections. He directed the councillors to endear themselves with the people by giving out stands, even if it means turning wetlands and golf courses into residential stands,” added the source.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has confirmed that indeed there was a plot by Harare City Council to turn golf courses into residential stands. However, she tried to exonerate CCC councillors by apportioning blame on ZANU PF and MDC T councillors as the ones pushing for that resolution.
“Harare City Council is about to turn Sherwood Golf Course and Warren Hills Golf Course into residential stands. Parts of these golf courses are on wetlands. The relevant ZANU PF/MDC-T committee is meeting at 10 am (today) yesterday to endorse the deal. CCC councillors have been excluded from all committees,” said Mahere.
Meanwhile, Harare residents interviewed by this publication castigated the CCC for trying to turn wetlands into residential stands and have called the move illegal and inappropriate.
