The Member of Parliament for Budiriro North ,Darlington Chigumbu is reportedly in an eye of a storm for allegedly parcelling out stands to some of his supporters.
The CCC MP is set to be recalled by the Sengezo Tshabangu-led faction after he reportedly wrote a resignation letter stating his allegiance to opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
Sources which spoke to this paper say the move is mearnt to canvass support in the event of a by-election.
“Chigumbu has started dolling out stands to his supporters, he is untouchable because of his connection to Council and ZACC but such lawlessness will leave the whole of Budiriro looking like a squatter camp ” said a Council official who declined to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media.
The MP is said to be working in cahoots with Budiriro District Officer Chiratidzo Dzama and and a controversial CCC activist popularly known as Mario.
“The trio has been causing havoc by illegally settling people here in Budiriro in order to appease and mobilise voters in the event of a by-election,” said a resident who requested anonymity.
“Mario has long invaded land, that’s the only job he has done, it’s his source of income and has become quite wealthy, but the school site he invaded here in Budiriro 4 that was really bad, he sold the stands to home-seekers and this specific site has greatly affected our drainage system and we are now living in hell “added the resident.
Chigumbu and Mario, with the blessing of Dzama, are said to have invaded land in Budiriro 4 using a truck with registration numbers ACB 2000. During the invasion, Chigumba reportedly assaulted a local resident who had questioned the legality of the action. A criminal case of assault has been opened at Budiriro 2 Police Station under RRB Number 6155312.
A visit by this publication in the area reveals that along Javaza street the MP and his allies have illegally allocated back stands .Some stands have been pegged on the servitudes of Budiriro-Mufakose and Corobrough roads and residents settled there openly revealed that it’s Chigumbu and Mario’s “project” and they were promised protection from demolitions.
Meanwhile the controversial District Officer is embroiled in a fresh scandal after providing false information to the Council’s Development Control section, leading to the demolition of houses built by legitimate landowners in Budiriro 1.
In a shocking turn of events, invaders whose cabins were suspiciously stored at council premises subsequently occupied the land, exposing blatant corruption and abuse of office by the DO.
Efforts to get a comment from the Harare Director of Housing Addmore Nhekairo were unsuccessful.