Zanu-PF Councillor accused of turning against residents

Seke Unit L Zanu-PF  Councillor has been accused of turning against residents after he failed to heed their calls to block the construction of a house at an undesignated place.

Harare Residents Trust reported that residents in Seke Unit L Chitungwiza are disappointed by their Councillor Calisto Masango.

"The ward 18 ZANU-PF Councillor has turned against his people.On 21 November 2016 residents of Seke Unit L wrote a petition to Chitungwiza City Council to stop the construction of a house on an undesignated place.The house is blocking the only road which was left accessible," said the Trust. "The refuse truck is no longer collecting refuse because the road is closed. Residents are saying it is now difficult to go to shopping centres as all roads are now residential stands."

The trust said it was agreed to stop the construction and papers were signed at Chitungwiza City Council on 21 November 2016.

"The Council said Mr. P Mubvuma has not signed lease agreement nor approved plan and hence should not undertake any works on the ground. To their surprise on 23 November 2016 residents found out that the land is pegged and the builders are digging the foundation," said the trust. "The roads was blocked with bricks showing that the owner is continuing with the construction.Residents tried to talk to the owner Mr.P Mubvuma on what they had agreed to the Council unfortunately and unexpectedly Councillor Calisto Masango arrived with unidentified soldiers from KG6 who were not in uniform and a group of youths."

The trust said Mr.Calisto and his team harassed residents and beat them up.

"Some of the residents who were beaten are Jabulani Chikome, Chifamba and Chipato. Councillor Calisto Masango was quote saying'' I am the father of this area and not even the Council can stop me. ''Resident believes that the Councillor was the one who sold the land to the desperate home seeker. The Councillor even has the guts to say to residents you are 'uneducated people','idiots'. Councillor Calisto Masango exhibited level of unprofessionalism," said the trust.

"He is casting a blind eye to the fact that the residents are the ones who put him in power and must be respected. Residents said we no longer have respect for our Councillor. These proves that some Councillors became arrogant after elections.Councillors are well known of their sweet melodious campaigning words before elections."