Outcry over stands price

By Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge 9 March 2011

Beitbridge residents raised concern over the town council’s decision to peg fees for low density stands at R100 000, which they say is beyond the reach of many.

In separate interviews yesterday they said the money was outrageous adding that the government needs to intervene as the matter of urgency.

The local authority allocated 140 low density suburb stands as they move towards easing accommodation problems that have perennially dogged the border town, while another 1100 high density suburb and 300 Medium density suburbs will soon be allocated to more residents.

The low density suburb stands are 10000square mitres in size.

It is understood that the local authority is demanding a deposit of R50 000 upfront while arrangements for the remainder will be made with the town treasurer.

“We are really concerned over the councils’ decision to peg the fees for low density stands at $14 000 (R100 000), this figure is beyond the reach of many, we are now appealing for the government to intervene.

“We are just a small town and this figure is just astronomical. We are calling on them to revise the figure downwards because very few people will afford to buy these stands. As residents we wish the figure be revised to around $5000 and they come up with flexible payment methods” said one resident who chose anonymity.

Another resident identified only as Mr. Shumba said the local authority’s behavior was discouraging to those people who wanted to invest in the border town.

He said that $14 000 was very speculative, considering that a lot of work needed to be done to transform the town’s current outlook.

“We are calling on the local authority and traditional leaders to come up with reasonable fees which everyone can afford. As much as they badly need money they should also consider our plight as residents” said Mr. Shumba.

In an interview yesterday the chairman of the Beitbridge business association, M. Salatiel Roy Muleya said there was nothing wrong with the figure adding that it was arrived at following wide consultations among all the key stakeholders.

“Beitbridge needs a state of the art low density suburb like any other progressive town. The whole idea is to have people with the requisite resources to build proper house with market value. People should understand that we are just a new town moving towards attaining municipality status.

“There is no need for an outcry because a lot of stands for low income earner will soon be allocated to them. This R100 000 was arrived at following a scientific study on the area where the suburb will be set up.

“The cost of servicing the stands, which is tarring, sewer, water, street lights and carrying out other logistic issues is $2 million. As the business association we understand that the outcry is coming from people who want the stands for speculative purposes.

“Literally the local authority has no money and as the residents we need to service them ourselves and hence those who are serious should pay the quoted fees” he said.

Echoing the same sentiments was the two secretaries, Dr Sipho Singo who said the figures were arrived at following consultations with other stakeholders.

“You will realize that people were getting stands at low prices and reselling them at that same money. Now that we are charging that some money they don’t want it get inn to the council coffers.

“We don’t want a middleman between the local authority and lands. This money we have quoted will be used for servicing the stands and come up with a state of the art suburb from the onset.

“We are saying people should understand that this is an urban set up and hence a lot of things will have to change so that we transform our town into a medium size city. Very soon we will be releasing another 1100 high density and 300 medium density suburbs which are meant for low income earners”, he said.

The town’ housing waiting list currently stands at over 6000.

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