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Walter Mswazie Herald Correspondent
Residents in Masvingo city’s oldest suburb of Mucheke have threatened to boycott payment of rates protesting council decision to close part of the road that leads to KwaVaMuzenda Cultural Heritage Site. The heritage site is located in the suburb’s Zimuto Street and was built in honour of the late iconic Vice President and veteran nationalist Dr Simon Muzenda who used to stay there during the formative years of the country’s nationalist struggle for independence.

Houses at KwaVaMuzenda Heritage Site were built in 1896 and the site was officially opened by the Minister of Rural Development, Preservation of Culture and Heritage Abedinico Ncube.

Masvingo town clerk Mr Adolf Gusha yesterday confirmed Mucheke residents have complained about the closure of part of Zimuto Street and were threatening to boycott payment of rates.

“We have received complaints from residents in Mucheke suburb who are unhappy over council’s decision to close part of Zimuto Street that leads to KwaVaMuzenda Heritage Site,” he said.

Mr Gusha said council wanted the stand-off with Mucheke residents addressed to the satisfaction of both parties saying boycotting rates was inadvisable as it would hurt the city’s capacity to effect service delivery.

The Joshua Nkomo Trust creative director Mr Rayban Sengwayo said it is unfortunate that residents seemed not to appreciate the importance of the heritage site.

“It is unfortunate that the residents do not appreciate the importance of the heritage site. Firstly, the site belongs to the late Vice President(Dr Muzenda) who is supposed to be respected even in his grave,” he said.