The Sunday News
Fairness Moyana, Hwange Correspondent
ZANU-PF Politburo member and Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has implored Hwange Colliery Company to consider reducing its rentals following a public outcry after a 400 percent increase.
Hwange Colliery Company Limited
The company recently increased its rentals by between 300 and 500 percent drawing the ire of its tenants made mostly of civil servants and people in the informal sector. The increase effected on 1 September will see tenants paying $32 809,55 for a one room up from $6 000 in August.
A two-roomed house is now $48 363,35 up from $8 000 while a three-roomed one costs $63 750,89 from $11 000. A one- bedroomed house which used to cost $15 000 is now $91 147,30 with a two-bedroom requiring $106 934,17 up from $20 000.
For a three-bedroomed house one will have to part with $133 628,55 up from around $25 000. Teachers have somehow been spared the drastic increase as the company effected a 200 percent increase with an educator occupying a one and single bedroomed house expected to pay $29 908,61 and $70 840,77 respectively.
Previously the teachers paid $4 500 and $11 000 respectively for a one and single bedroomed house. A three-roomed house will see educators parting with $46 345,30 while a three-bedroomed now costs $90 114,57. In August the two were around $16 000 and $19 000 respectively.
The tariffs cover water, electricity, refuse and sewer charges. Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at a rally in Dinde, Adv Mudenda said the company should review its rentals and engage tenants.
Speaker of the house of Assembly honourable Jacob Mudenda
“From 6 000 to 33 000 increase of more than 400 percent is not fair or justified. Even the tenants were not engaged to have dialogue on what was driving the increase,” said Adv Mudenda drawing cheers from the crowd.
He said in Mashava people were being evicted and the President had to intervene to stop the evictions. The Speaker of Parliament said party members should ensure they worked hard towards promoting Government programmes that were centred on bettering the lives of people especially in mining towns such as Hwange.
“I’m still in shock over the steep increase which is way beyond my reach being a vegetable vendor. I think the company is not being sincere here. we have tried to plead our case with them but they seem adamant. Everyone is aware of the economic difficulties we are facing as a country and that we are all trying to survive. This is tantamount to rendering us homeless as failure to pay would mean eviction. I appeal to management to reconsider the move,” said Monica Sibanda.
The company policy states that as part of the welfare benefits, a permanently employed worker is entitled to a house depending on the grade.
“This is nothing short of a just a way to get rid of us since there have been complaints over issuing of accommodation to non-employees. Surely such an increase is not justified what they are asking us to pay is just too much for us,” said a tenant who requested anonymity.
Ward 8 councillor, Salome Chirwa said there was a need for dialogue after a plea by tenants for a downward review of the charges was rejected by the company.
“I think there should be dialogue. There was a plea to reduce the rentals by 150% but it was rejected. They have indicated a reduction of 80% but so far, we haven’t seen their willingness to effect it. This to me needs dialogue between the tenants and the company,” she said.
Greater Whange Residents Trust said the company was supposed to consider the incomes of the tenants while calling on the Government to ensure there was affordable and accessible housing for all.
“It is so unfortunate for the community that their income will be channelled towards rentals or risk evictions for non-payment. Government through NDS1 should ensure that housing is accessible and affordable to Zimbabweans,” said GWRT coordinator, Mr Fidelis Chima.
Efforts to get a comment from the company’s corporate affairs manager Dr Beauty Mtombe were fruitless.
