Victoria Falls plans to repossess housing stands

The Victoria Falls City Council has come under intense scrutiny from residents following reports that it plans to repossess housing stands in the BE100 area from beneficiaries who fail to pay in full by the end of the month, amid allegations of corruption.

The Victoria Falls Consortium, a local residents association, claimed that the council had already identified new potential beneficiaries and was allegedly requiring them to pay a "facilitation fee" to improve their chances of securing the stands. In a recent communication to residents, the consortium accused the mayor, Prince Thuso Moyo, and senior council officials of engaging in an unprocedural repossession of stands and accepting bribes from individuals who were not on the official waiting list or vetted by the designated committee.

"The information on our desk indicates that the mayor and senior council officers have already engaged new potential beneficiaries, causing them to pay a facilitation fee to increase their chances of benefiting after the October 31, 2025, deadline," the consortium said.

While acknowledging that repossession is a standard procedure for those who fail to pay, the consortium criticized the council for moving ahead of the set deadline without following proper processes. They said the repossession should be guided by a publicly announced council resolution, comply with legal frameworks, and ensure unbiased allocation to new beneficiaries. The consortium emphasized the need for waiting lists and proper vetting to prevent corrupt practices, and urged all BE100 beneficiaries to verify the status of their stands with the council to avoid "last-minute surprises."

Mayor Moyo, however, dismissed the claims as "mere bar talk," insisting that the council's resolution clearly states that repossession will occur only after October 31. He denied any personal involvement in the alleged bribery, saying the decision was a council policy matter. "This is not a mayor's thing, but a decision made by the council; the mayor does not take people's stands," Moyo said.

He urged residents who have not completed payments to settle their balances promptly to avoid losing their stands and challenged the consortium leaders to set an example by paying for their own plots before any repossession.

The controversy has intensified concerns among Victoria Falls residents over transparency and fairness in the allocation and management of housing stands, with calls for the council to follow established procedures and curb potential corruption.