Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. MDC-T Councillors have abandoned plans to construct a ZWL$25 million luxurious mansion for the city’s Mayor Solomon Nguni at Selbourne Park following a public outcry over the move.
The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T dominated Bulawayo City Council had recommended the local authority should build a mayoral house on a stand owned by the council in the low-density suburb.
The decision, however, angered residents and was also criticised by the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.
In a statement, Silas Chigora, the MDC-T council chief whip said the council had only agreed to build the mayor a house in Selbourne Park subject to the availability of funds. Said Chigora:
Under the item we had, three options: (1) the already existing resolution to renovate a council house at Hornung in Burnside at a cost of USD146 000, (2) purchase a house at a cost of US$200 000 for use by the current mayor and future mayors, (and) (3) build a house at an already reserved stand in Selbourne park when funds become available.
Cognisant of the current financial status of the city we resolved to pursue the long-standing position of building a mayoral house in Selbourne Park at the already reserved stand when funds become available at a cost yet to be quantified.
