Bulawayo Mayor rents council farm for a measly $45 per month

THE Bulawayo City Council has approved plans to lease out a two-hectare farm to Mayor Thaba Moyo for a measly $45 per month for the next five years.

Part of the conditions are that the lease be for an initial period of five years subject to review at the pleasure of council and no permanent structures shall be erected on the piece of land.

According to latest council minutes, engineering services director Simela Dube reported to the town lands and planning committee that an application had been received from Moyo to lease a portion of Dunstal Farm for purposes of urban agriculture.

"The farm was zoned residential or agricultural in terms of the master plan," read the minutes.

"The piece of land was situated along a stream and was accessible by a road which branched off from Khami Road.

"From a town planning perspective, the piece of land was suitable for the proposal."

The report says that after the application had been circulated to other municipal departments, recommendations were made that Moyo pays a monthly rental of $45.

It was also recommended that the piece of land "was to be used for agricultural activities only".

"All costs related to this application were to be borne by the applicant. The piece of land was to be properly fenced," the minutes read. Moyo was also advised not to conduct any agricultural activities 30 meters from the centre line of the stream.

Contacted to justify the meagre rentals, Moyo chose to be evasive and did not give a straight answer.

"I am human too," Moyo said. "Tell whoever is raising those concerns that I am human."