Thomas Mapfumo, a renowned Zimbabwean musician celebrated for his politically charged music, has recently accused the ruling Zanu-PF party of revoking land that was allocated to him by the Harare City Council in the early 2000s. This accusation has reignited discussions about land allocation issues and the political tensions in Zimbabwe.
Mapfumo, known for his outspoken criticism of the government through his music, claims that the land in question was located in the affluent Borrowdale suburb. This parcel of land was part of a larger allocation that included other prominent figures such as fellow musician Oliver Mtukudzi and footballer George Shaya. According to Mapfumo, while Mtukudzi and Shaya received their land, he was denied his allocation.
In an interview with Standard Style, Mapfumo revealed that although he received official offer letters from the Harare City Council for the land, he was later instructed to surrender them. He refused, asserting that Zanu-PF officials were behind the revocation. Mapfumo contends that the party feared his plan to use the land to establish a studio for producing music critical of the government. The land’s proximity to the residence of Patrick Chinamasa, a senior Zanu-PF official, further fuels Mapfumo’s belief that the revocation was politically motivated.
Zanu-PF has categorically denied these accusations. Farai Marapira, the party’s director of Information and Publicity, dismissed Mapfumo’s claims as unfounded. Marapira pointed out that the Harare City Council, responsible for land allocation, is run by the opposition party, not Zanu-PF. He suggested that Mapfumo should address his grievances with the opposition councillors, who are frequently criticized for corruption and mismanagement, rather than blaming the ruling party.
Marapira emphasized that Zanu-PF’s focus remains on improving Zimbabwe’s economy and addressing the needs of its people. He accused Mapfumo of using the party as a scapegoat for his personal issues, deflecting the narrative away from Zanu-PF’s involvement. In response to the accusations, Stanley Gama, spokesperson for the Harare City Council, adopted a cautious stance, indicating that a thorough background check would be necessary before issuing an official response.
This ongoing dispute underscores the broader issues of land allocation and political tension in Zimbabwe. Thomas Mapfumo’s allegations reflect his longstanding contentious relationship with the ruling party, highlighting the intersection of politics and personal grievances in the country’s land management challenges.
In other news – Zimbabwe bus operators urged to improve services following Kombi ban
Large bus operators are bracing for a surge in demand following new government regulations that limit commuter omnibuses to a 60 km operational radius. This policy shift, announced by Transport Minister Felix Mhona, aims to enhance road safety by confining kombis to urban and peri-urban routes, leaving longer journeys to buses with a capacity of over 26 passengers.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to tackle rising road safety concerns, which include the installation of speed and monitoring devices in all kombis. Read More
