Zimpapers Logo

Mr Mutasa

Takunda Maodza Assistant News Editor
FORMER Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Mr Didymus Mutasa’s claims that he bought a Rusape Town Council house leased to him in 1984 are not backed by any record of payment for the property.

The ex-Presidential Affairs Minister reportedly arm-twisted the Rusape Town Council to lease to him Number 4 Mbuya Nehanda (also known as Stand 160 Mbuya Nehanda) but never paid anything to council.

He is still in occupation of the property, a mansion by Rusape’s standards, but he has never paid rates ever since he occupied the house 30 years ago.

Reliable sources yesterday said after The Herald exposed Mr Mutasa last week, he confronted council claiming he bought the property, when he did not.

“He phoned the town secretary Mr Joshua Maligwa last week soon after publication of the story by The Herald claiming that he bought the house several years ago.

“He claims a former special interest councillor, Mrs Christine Murembwe, who happens to be his former secretary, facilitated the sale of the house to him by council,” said the source.

Added the source: “Council advised Mr Mutasa to produce evidence that he bought the house. He has not furnished council with that evidence to date.”

Instead of availing Rusape Town Council with proof of payment for the house, Mr Mutasa is said to have accused council management of playing politics.

“It appears Mr Mutasa wants to defraud council. Records at council do not show that he at anytime paid for the house as he now claims,” added the source.

Rusape Town Council is now battling to take back the house from Mr Mutasa.

Last week the municipality wrote to Mr Mutasa giving him the option to buy the house as a sitting tenant.

“Pursuant to our letters dated 6 January 2000 and 17 March 2015, council at its 291st regular full council meeting resolved through resolution FC14/05/15 that: council offers you to purchase the house at Stand 160 Rusape Township and developments thereon at a cost of $45 000.

“You should accept the offer within seven days of receipt of this offer letter and make the full payment by 31st December 2015,” reads the letter signed by Mr Maligwa.

Council advised Mr Mutasa it would repossess the house should he fail to take the offer.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Mutasa was adamant that he bought the house but confirmed he did not have proof to that effect.

“Why should they talk about it now when I started staying in the house in 1984? I regard zvinhu zvandirikushandisa sezvangu. Vanotanga kundinyorera tsamba izvozvi? To issue a statement and say we have revalued the house to $45 000? Why value a property which belongs to me?”

When asked what proof he had that he bought the property, Mr Mutasa said: “I bought the house in 1984 but they refused to give me the title deed. I would have produced the title deed if they had given me.

“They should give me some rest and not heap every kind of stupid accusation on me.”