Mixed feelings as Checheche celebrates town status

The much-publicised event to celebrate Checheche growth point's rise to a town status received mixed feelings as key stakeholders complained that neither the District Administrator Mr Edgar Seenza,PA Manicaland nor the Manicaland Governor Mr Christopher Mushowe attended. The absence of these officials was conspicuous considering that an event of this magnitude deserved their official presence for a ground breaking ceremony, presentation of council shield as well as cutting of the ribbon. At least, an official event has well known characteristic

Friday the 6th of September 2014 had enough entertainment, with Sulumani Chimbetu and Somandla Ndebele forcing the entertainment-starved villagers to dance lame to their well received music. For those who were not aware of the components of such an event, it was able to live up to their expectation since only what they needed was dancing to their popular musicians who came free of charge. It was also good news for ZANU PF supporters who thought the event was their rally since their local Member of Parliament Cde Enock Porusingazi, addressed the audience.

Plans to transform Checheche Growth Point to into a town are progressing well with a huge housing investment programme that will benefit more than 500 beneficiaries already underway.More than 500 housing stands have been commissioned by the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (ZAHA) in Checheche as the growth point moves to attain town status.

The Chipinge Rural District Council has also rolled out an ambitious housing and industrial developme...nt programme in the area, and with the downstream industry of the ethanol projects booming, expectations are high that Checheche will attain town status soon.

ZAHA director general Killer Zivhu called on Zimbabweans to initiate rural development programmes to bridge the gap of development with the urban.

National Assembly representative for Chipinge South Enock Porusingazi said the housing development programme will unlock employment opportunities in the area while transforming Chipinge into an economic hub.

"Under ZIM ASSET, sound housing delivery programme is central to the realisation of the new economic blue print, hence the need for more investment in infrastructural development," said Cde Porusingazi.

The road network is now complete and plans are now at an advanced stage to tar the entire road network before serious construction begins.

For most of us at the Platform for Youth Development (PYD)who are development oriented we were able to see beyond since the event left us with more questions unanswered. The objective of the event was not met with the targeted audience missed. The background of the matter is more important as there is currently a lot of misinformation on how the new stands are being administered. Villagers from Chimambo ,an area along the highway from Checheche to Mutare are very bitter following what appear false promises by the council on how they will be compensated on their land lost to the processing of new stands .The celebrations in question was supposed to be an outreach to this community and also to lure and bring awareness to the public on how they were expected to accommodate and benefit from Checheche becoming a town. Since there was no deliberate attempt to make an outreach to these communities as PYD, our expression is that the organisers overlooked a very important target group.

Mr Silas Chawira of the Chawira Academy who also attended the proceedings expressed worry that the event could have been better organised," Not all the stakeholders have been attracted by this event, we at Chawira Sports Academy came here very expectant and still expect the council to consider offering us a free stand to support the voluntary work we are doing to uplift sporting talents in Chipinge"

Questions on Checheche town status are still many. Prospective investors and those looking for new stands are still interested to know how much one stand will be sold and the criterion in which some emerging housing cooperatives have started getting recognition. There are enough reasons for us at the PYD to get worried, in view of the fact that there might exist grey areas that may invite corrupt players to take advantage.

Platform for Youth Development remains at the centre of issues and will ensure that the development of Checheche growth point into a town status will cater for the interests of all stakeholders.PYD and all the concerned stakeholders should implore the Chipinge South MP , Councillors and Chipinge-Checheche local authorities to be guided by legal provisions that are in place to ensure they do not front political interests which are compromising service delivery.

People should convened a meeting with the MP, Councillors chairperson , Constituency Councillors and Residents to find ways of addressing the challenges facing the authorities. How come Killer Zivhu from Chivi crossing to Checheche, while Chivi is a growth point with vast of land that need his greedness.Apart from Chivi he must go to his nearest towns and growth point like Zvishavane, Masvingo, Gaths Mine, Shurugwi, Ngundu, Rutenga, Zaka Jerera, Triangle , Chiredzi etc in Masvingo Province before jumped Save River to Checheche. Why the crocodiles are leting these people crossing and biting inocent people. Who is behind Killer Zivhu?

The meeting should resolved that dishing out of vast pieces of land to individuals and co-operatives that coming from afar, coming to milk the residents, while their are some people on the waiting list, should stop forthwith.

As residents of Chipinge Districts our allegations are that of officials who are putting political interests ahead of their mandate and we are urge councils to adhere to legal provisions stipulated under the Urban Councils Act.

Most urban councils have been fingered in cases of mismanagement, abuse of council funds especially by top officials and self enrichment practices.