Harare, Zimbabwe | A senior city official has revealed that a Zanu PF loyalist, known as JB, is profiting from the ongoing neglect and dilapidation of Harare’s city properties, including Mbare flats, stadiums, and community halls.
The council’s inability to fund necessary repairs has created an environment where individuals like JB can exploit the situation for personal gain.
Edmore Nhekairo, the Harare City Council’s Director of Housing and Community Services, testified this week before a commission of inquiry into the management of the capital. During his testimony, Nhekairo described how financial constraints have prevented the regular maintenance of council-owned properties, leading to severe deterioration.
Nhekairo pointed out that “space barons,” including JB, have been illegally collecting rent from tenants in areas like Matapi. These “space barons” have taken advantage of the council’s weakened position, exacerbating the problems of frequent sewer bursts, overcrowding, and lawlessness in these flats.
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Although Nhekairo stopped short of naming all the “space barons,” he identified JB as one of the key figures benefiting from the council’s failure to maintain its properties. JB, who operates Club Zone at Machipisa shopping center in Highfield, has leveraged his political connections to sustain his operations amid the chaos.
The director also reported that the city’s major stadiums—Gwanzura, Dzivarasekwa, and Glamis—are in dire need of refurbishment. The poor condition of these facilities has forced Zimbabwe to hold soccer matches in other African countries, as no local stadium currently meets FIFA standards.
In addition to the stadiums, Nhekairo mentioned that the council’s 27 community halls are also in a state of disrepair. The ongoing neglect has allowed individuals like JB to thrive, further complicating the city’s efforts to rehabilitate its crumbling infrastructure.
As Harare’s housing, education, and social services continue to suffer from the council’s lack of resources, the influence of political figures like JB raises serious concerns about the future of the city’s management.
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