By Rex Mphisa
BEITBDIDGE councillors have said residents of Gap Heights section of Alpha International Developers Phase Two called Kwalu 2 should sleep in peace, their houses will not be demolished.
“We are here to tell you to eat your meals, sleep in peace and enjoy your homes you built because they will not be demolished. We have come to allay your fears, this project was approved and the same person writing you those demolition orders was part of the stakeholders who signed documents who approved the project,” Ward 3 councillor Emmanuel Takutaku said.
He said eight stakeholders approved the Kwalu Phase Two project whose development was done by Alpha International Land Developers.
“This document I am holding is the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for this project which our predecessors signed. The council that sat before ours approved this project and we have to defend it because everything was done above board,” Takutaku said.
He was addressing more than 50 residents of Kwalu Phase 2 residents recently served by Demolition Orders signed by Town Engineer Douglas Siphuma.
The order says the houses were built without authority.
Ironically, Siphuma and former Town Planner L Sijiye, Takutaku’s predecessor Sarudzai Moyo were among eight stakeholders who signed the environmental impact assessment report that approved the Gaps Heights project called Kwalu 2.
In his approval seen by Ziyah News Network Siphuma wrote the project was important as it would positively impact on
reduction in rentals fees charged to Beitbridge residents.
“Negatives identified are pollution of water resources, deforestation and erosion of the soils. Dust that will interfere with tree photosynthesis was also sited. Dust suppression measures to curb dust, transplanting protected trees like baobab to parks around and provision of properly engineered drainage systems were suggested mitigations,” he said on page 19 of the approval report.
“We have 72 houses we have seen that are on different stages. These will not be destroyed, people should live and enjoys their houses. Those who have not started should wait a little but there will be no demolitions,” said Takutaku.
He said building houses is not an overnight thing and it can only be an insane person who demolishes someone’s sweat.
Takutaku said immediately the Government will be appraised of the developments.
“We are councillors and we work under a local Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe. We are their representatives on the ground and I will inform him. They Mayor will talk to Minister of Local Government Daniel Garwe over this issue,” said Takutaku.
The demolition orders were raised after fears that any sewer spillages from Kwalu 2 would pollute Beitbridge water supplier dam two commonly called Gullivet”s.
The project sits upstream of Gulliver dam but Alpha International Lands Developer director Jonathan Gapare who also attended the meeting said he was suprised to see residents bringing letters to him.
“I am the land developer here, not the residents. Any communication should be done through me and not beneficiaries of the project. I am rhe one with the contract with council,” he said.
“We hear someone wants to develop a Golf Course and is that why we should demolish people’s houses? All I am able to say is in my 36 years in land development this would be a first,” said Gapare.
Gapare asked residents to be united and not rely on rumours but official communication.
On the sidelines of the meeting he hinted he contemplated legal action against officials who issued the demolition orders.
Deputy Mayor John Manatsa said the whole council was behind the development at Kwalu Phase Two.
“We areall behind you. Noone is going to demolish your houses, just like what my fellow Councillor Takutaku said, we will find ways. This project was done properly,” he said.
One of the residents who spoke said he had been phoned three times by council officials inviting him to their offices.
“I am surprised that I have never spoken to them and got my stand through Alpha (Land International Developers) but they now communicate with me directly I wonder what they need,” asked a resident.
Another resident said its high time proper scrutiny was done at Beitbridge Municipality wgere he believed many were anti-development.