Pumula South stands dispute escalates

Source: The Standard

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) says it will engage the government in a dispute pitting Bulawayo City Council (BCC) against residents over Pumula South residential stands.

The residents are embroiled in a dispute with the council over 117 stands in Pumula South where the council ordered them to pay US$6 000 as top-up each for the stands they paid for in 2016.

After failing to reach an understanding with council, residents are looking at engaging the Local Government ministry.

BPRA secretary for administration Thembelani Dube told Southern Eye that there was no solution in sight because council is insisting that residents should pay the additional amounts.

"The local authority is still maintaining that the beneficiaries should pay top-ups of US$6 000. Residents have been told that if they fail to pay the stands will be repossessed," Dube said.

Bulawayo deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said the beneficiaries were still in talks with the council.

"The council is still on talking terms with the beneficiaries," Ncube said.

He said Pumula South stands servicing was affected by the failing economy and loss of value of the local currency, but beneficiaries and the council have agreed on a solution.

Recently BPRA lamented the failure by the BCC to monitor contracted private companies resulting in the delay in servicing the stands.