PLOTS SCANDAL EXPOSED
According to documents obtained from LCC, residents in the area had complained about the creation of plots in the area after some unidentified people started putting beacons in front of their houses.
In a letter of complaint dated May 2, 2018 to the director of city planning, Godwin Chinoya, the residents expressed shock that there were people putting up beacons on the railway reserve while the council was not doing anything about it.
"Our understanding is that this area is part of the railway reserve but to our surprise, unknown persons have demarcated plots and have commenced construction. We seek your urgent clarification and intervention in this matter," reads the letter in part. According to our source within the council, Mr Chinoya is said to have initially assured the aggrieved residents that the creation of the plots had no blessing from the council but that soon after that, a surveyor went on site. When interrogated by the irate residents, the surveyor produced a copy of the new map showing that the said plots were approved for numbering in 2016 during a full council meeting to act as a buffer zone to the railway line.
“When the residents pushed for clarity over the matter after they were given the new plan, they were told that the decision was made by the full council meeting and were even shown minutes to that effect.
“When pressure mounted, some people in the council alerted the developers about the uproar and asked them to speed up construction, assuring them that once they completed their structures, the council will have reason not to demolish them despite the illegality," the source said.
But when contacted, Mr Chinoya, refused to comment on the matter and referred all queries to the council public relations office.
LCC public relations manager George Sichimba said he was not aware of the development as he was still new but promised to find out from some people within the council who may have an idea.
Mr Sichimba however advised that since the developers were claiming to have title to the same plots, the Ministry of Lands was in a better position to comment on the matter.