By Edson Mapani
HARARE – Tensions are mounting at Simon Muzenda Housing Cooperative in Stoneridge, Harare, after two members, Mr Stovara Chibanda and Aleck Chingwaru, reportedly came under fire from fellow members over a US$50 payment allegedly being demanded for the regularisation of residential stands.
The dispute comes amid a local government directive reportedly instructing housing cooperatives to stop collecting such payments.
The two members are alleged to have broken away from the seven-member housing cooperative executive and taken with them receipt books and other cooperative documents.
When contacted for comment, Chibanda declined to respond to the allegations and advised this reporter to visit the area in person.
Chingwaru, however, defended the payment, saying the US$50 being collected from members was intended to pay a private planner engaged to undertake work related to the regularisation of their stands.
“Yes, it’s true that we are demanding US$50 from the housing cooperative members. This money is meant to pay our planner, who is doing the work for the regularisation of their stands,” he said.
Chingwaru further said the cooperative members had declined to engage a planner, identified as Kaseke, who was reportedly seconded by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
He said they had not received any official written communication confirming that Kaseke was the designated planner responsible for providing the planning services.
The developments have reportedly sparked disagreement among cooperative members, with questions being raised over the collection and use of the US$50 payment, as well as the authority under which the regularisation process is being undertaken.