By Archford Chirimudombo
MARONDERA- The Municipality of Marondera has dismissed as fake, a document which circulated on several media platforms stating the prices of residential stands at Elmswood.
In an interview last week, the local authority’s public relations Kudakwashe Tapfumaneyi said the council remains in control of whatever happens at the proposed housing project. He said: “I wish to reiterate that the council (Marondera Municipality) is the only entity which has the official and legal authority to make notices, receive payments and allocate stands under the Elmswood project.
“The Municipality of Marondera has not issued a price list for the Elmswood residential stands as the prices are still being worked out and the authentic price list will be published in due course.
“Council issued a notice last month, cautioning stakeholders to ignore the fake Elmswood stands price list. To date, council has taken effective occupation of the Elmswood land by establishing a site office and our engineering department has already started clearing roads to kick start servicing operations.”
The Municipality will soon be allocating stands to beneficiaries as per the list of beneficiaries that the council has. No beneficiaries will be prejudiced of their allocated stands and everything will be done as per procedure and by the book, added Tapfumaneyi.
The notice referred to by the council’s spokesperson stated that the price list of the stands did not emanate from the local authority.
It reads: “The Municipality of Marondera would like to advise all valued residents and stakeholders that there is a document circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms indicating different prices for various sizes of residential stands which are purportedly located in the Elmswood residential area. Council wishes to reiterate and categorically state that the mentioned document does not emanate from the Municipality of Marondera.”
The statement further advised beneficiaries that all payments towards the Elmswood residential housing project had been temporarily suspended and that soon stakeholders will be advised on the full purchase price of their allocated stands and the resumption of payments.
The statement further made it clear that the Municipality of Marondera will not be held liable for any losses that may accrue as a consequence of home seekers dealing with other parties or entities concerning the Elmswood residential stands.
Recently, Town Clerk Rinashe Nyamuzihwa revealed that the council has, in its custody, all the relevant documentation that proves ownership. The same documentation, he said, is held by the Department of Spatial Planning.
