BULAWAYO mayor Solomon Mdala Mguni has torched a storm
after the local authority offered him to rent a 2,5 hectare council plot for a
paltry $165 (US$2) per month.
The advertisement dated May 29 by the town Clerk
Christopher Dube stated that Mguni would engage in urban farming for 25 years
on the piece of land located in Lower Rangemore.
Thus read the notice: “Proposed lease of Lot 3 Lower
Rangemore to his Worship the Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni, notice is hereby
given in terms of section 152 (2) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15)
that the council intends to lease Lot 3 of Lot 3 Lower Rangemore in Extent
approximately 2,5 hectares as shown on the drawing number TPA 8942 to his
Worship the Mayor…”
The principal conditions of lease attached are: “the stand
shall be used for urban agricultural activities only, a monthly rental of $165
bond excluding VAT shall be paid subject to review, any developments on the
stand shall be in accordance with the approved plans and relevant council bylaws.
All costs related to the least of the stand to be borne by the applicant.”
The town clerk stated that a copy of council’s resolution
dated on March 4 concerning the proposed lease may be seen on application at
the director of housing and community services offices.
“Any persons objecting to the above proposal are hereby
required to lodge their objections with the undersigned… not later than 19
June,” the advertisement read.
Mguni refused to comment on the matter when contacted by
NewsDay yesterday.
“I am just a beneficiary and I cannot say much about the
issue. Those who want details should contact the person who placed the advert
on the newspaper,” Mguni said.
Residents blasted council for plotting to undercharge the
mayor saying the amount could not even buy a 10kg pack of mealie meal.
“This is an insult to the ratepayers, how can someone be
charged a rental of US$2,” said one resident on social media.
Another resident said: “Here comes another looter, how can
we proceed like this? The expectation is that you consider the people you
represent first.”
Another disgruntled resident added: “We thought he was one
of the good guys, he is paying virtually nothing for the lease of that land.”
Newsday
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