Press Statement - Hlalani Kuhle Should be Handled by Local Authority

The recent revelations of corruption and lack of transparency in the implementation of the Hlalani Kuhle Housing Project in Cowdray Park are a cause of concern as residents are losing their money and being deprived of housing. The fact that a single stand can be sold to more than one person, resulting in some people being sent away from their stands, denied their right to shelter and fleeced of their currency is a human rights tragedy. The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) is appalled by the situation that is unfolding in Cowdray Park, which it sees as a microcosm of the corruption and voracity that has taken root in Zimbabwe.

BPRA believes that the solution to the problem at the Hlalani Huhle Housing Project in Cowdray Park is to transfer control of the project from the government to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC). BPRA sees this as advantageous for the following reasons:

 

·         Conferring control of the project on the local authority would reduce bureaucracy and red tape that makes it easy for corruption to take place in the provision of the housing stands. In line with this, there would be more security for the money paid out by beneficiaries of the project.

·         Since BCC is the authority charged with servicing stands in Bulawayo, handing over the Hlalani Kuhle Housing Project in Cowdray Park to the authority would ensure that stands are serviced timely as the project would be prioritised as it would now belong to the local authority.

·         BCC as the local authority is closer to the people, hence its easier for the people to monitor its operations as opposed to monitoring those of the government. Handing over the project to the council would thus increase transparency and accountability in the implementation of the project.

   

·          The BCC is closer to the grassroots and thus better understands the housing problem in Bulawayo. It is in possession of the housing waiting list while the town planner is also strategically positioned within the council. This means that handing over the project to BCC would increase efficiency and ensure that deserving individuals get the stands.

·         Transferring control of the project to BCC would also deal with the problem of politicization and cronyism in the allocation of stands as local authority projects are run by technocrats as opposed to politicians. There would thus be higher chances of fairness in allocation of stands.

 Signed

Mr Rodrick Fayayo

Coordinator

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)