MUTARE - Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo has directed the city council here to transfer Meikles Park to the government in a land swap deal, a move that will see almost 600 informal traders selling their wares at the park ejected.
The city council reportedly transferred the land to government, which sold the land to Stalvic Investments, a private company owned by businessman and Zanu PF central committee member Isau Mupfumi.
Mupfumi is understood to have bought the land for about $650 000, although he declined to disclose the purchase price.
In a letter dated April 23, 2014 from Chombo’s acting secretary only identified as Shawatu, the city’s town Clerk Obert Muzawazi was directed to expeditiously release Meikles Park to central government. The city council was promised alternative land elsewhere.
“Could you urgently transfer the land commonly known as Meikles Park to the government of Zimbabwe as per our agreement,” the letter reads.
“On the other hand, we would like to advise you that the 100 hectares you chose from Stand 1965 Mutare has been demarcated, and surveyed.
“The land will be transferred to council by the ministry. Your urgent facilitation of the transfer is expected.”
Meikles Park was swapped with land situated in the south of the city, nearly 10km outside Mutare along the Masvingo highway.
Mupfumi has confirmed purchasing the land, earmarked for the construction of a hotel.
“We (Stalvic Investments) are the new owners of the Meikles Park and we have big plans for it as we envisage putting up a five-star hotel there,” Mupfumi said.
He said the hotel would replace squalid timber and plastic shacks used by informal traders at Meikles Park.
“It is an eyesore to have such poor structures in the city,” Mupfumi said. “They have to be moved elsewhere. They can do their business but off the CBD,” he said, adding council had identified Chidzere Bar as their new operating zone.
He said, as the new land owner, he would allow the informal traders to continue doing business there for the next 12 months.
There has been uproar over Mupfumi’s takeover of Meikles Park, with many expressing dismay over their imminent ejection and averring that it was against the government’s empowerment drive.
Others have welcomed the proposed development and indicated that the Meikles Park area deserved better infrastructure as it is prime land located in the CBD.
The Mutare town clerk was unreachable for comment yesterday, while mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said he was yet to be furnished with details on the said land swap between council, the government and the immediate leasing to Mupfumi.