Reprieve for defaulting Victoria Falls residents

The Victoria Falls municipality has granted residents allocated housing stands in the resort town a six-month grace period to settle outstanding payments, Mayor Prince Thuso Moyo announced, aiming to quell rumours of repossessions.

Addressing a residents' meeting last Thursday, Moyo said that the majority of the 500 people allocated land by the council had already completed their payments. Only 22 stand owners remain with outstanding balances, and the council has given them until six months to clear their dues before any further action is taken.

The mayor's statements directly countered allegations raised in October by the Victoria Falls Consortium and some residents, who claimed that the council was secretly repossessing stands in the BE 100 area to reallocate them to new beneficiaries for a "facilitation fee."

"Let me be clear: no one's stand has been repossessed," Moyo said. "If anyone believes their stand was taken, they must present the letter indicating otherwise. The agenda number one on the stands is that there is no stand that has been repossessed from anyone."

He stressed the importance of payments for the council's operations, explaining that the funds collected help finance essential services such as roads, water, and electricity in the new residential areas.

Moyo confirmed that the six-month extension is a binding council resolution, ensuring that remaining beneficiaries have sufficient time to complete their payments. He also emphasized that the allocation process remains fair and transparent, and described the extension as part of the council's broader commitment to achieving universal housing access in Victoria Falls by 2030.

"The majority of applicants have paid, which is a good achievement," the mayor said. "The day-to-day running of the council and the servicing of stands depend on these contributions, and we remain committed to working with residents to secure their homes."