Story by Tamuka Charakupa
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities was in Chimanimani this Monday on a fact-finding mission after the allocation of housing units to Cyclone Idai survivors.
The parliamentarians sought clarity on the criteria used in the allocation of housing units to the 242 Cyclone Idai survivors resettled at West End Farm in Chimanimani West.
In response, Chimanimani District Development Coordinator, Mr Joseph Manyurapasi said his office has the paper trail which justifies the resettlement process.
“We allocated the housing units to the survivors who were housed in temporary shelters and holding tents during the aftermath of the disaster. We were guided by the Department of Civil Protection over the allocation process and we have all the documents to prove that everything was done above board,” he said.
“We first allocated houses to those whose ownership records of previous houses were found at the council,” he added.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Honourable Reverend Miriam Chikukwa told ZBC News that they will summon the relevant stakeholders to get further clarity on the matter.
“As you have heard from my fellow parliamentarians, we are very much unsatisfied with the responses we are getting here. We came when the survivors were still in the holding tents and then we were told that every affected member would get a place to settle but now it seems those who initially owned properties were compensated,” she noted.
She also said, “We will summon every stakeholder involved so that we get a clear picture of how everything went. We are also worried by the fact that most of the houses are locked and the owners reportedly come here and there which raises questions of whether they really deserved or not.”
Meanwhile, an additional 59 houses will be constructed in the area by December this year to bring the total number of housing units to 242 houses.
