AN upmarket property – Number 4 Mbuya Nehanda – at the centre of dispute pitting Rusape Town Council and former powerful cabinet minister Didymus Mutasa was one of the houses grabbed by the latter citing security reasons in 2000.

The house, which Mr Mutasa claims to have taken in 1984 is adjacent to Number 2 Mbuya Nehanda, his main residence in Rusape.

The house was annexed during town secretary Mr Obert Muzawazi-era after the former State Security boss argued that he wanted to be surrounded by people loyal to him.

Mr Muzawazi back then wrote to Mr Mutasa acknowledging his concerns and offered him to pay Z$550 000 in two batches of Z$ 225 000.

When Mr Mutasa was kicked out of Zanu-PF, he dispatched his confidante Retired Colonel Topira Mutasa to fast-track the change of ownership, after an earlier failed attempt by the then special interest Clr Christine Murembwe Clr Christine Murembwe – but without success.

RTC is accusing Mr Mutasa of portraying himself as a victim of the current system, yet the property in question never belonged to him legally.

Mr Mutasa is refusing to vacate the house, claiming to have bought it in 1984. The local authority is insisting on proof of purchase but the former Zanu-PF administration secretary claims he was not given title deeds, some 15 years after moving into the property.

Shockingly, the former powerful cabinet minister says he should not be bothered about the matter

Mr Mutasa said: “I regard zvinhu zvandirikushandisa sezvangu (everything I’m using as mine). Why should they talk about it now when I started staying in the house in 1984?” he questioned.

Town secretary Mr Joshua Maligwa on Wednesday said the local authority recently revalued the property and presented Mr Mutasa with a US$45 000 bill, telling him he could either buy the house or move out.

“Pursuant to our letters dated 6 January 2000 and 17 March 2015, council at its 291st regular full council meeting resolved through resolution FC14 /05 /15 that: council offers you to purchase the house at Stand 160 Rusape Township and developments thereon at a cost of $45 000.

“You should accept the offer within seven days of receipt of this offer letter and make the full payment by 31st December 2015,” reads the letter signed by town secretary Joshua Maligwa.

The seven days notice expires next Tuesday.

“This issue has been simmering for a long time because former Clr Murembwe tried to influence the then housing director Ms Doreen Chirwa to change the ownership of the house in 2013, but the process stalled as we insisted on proof of payment.

“Two weeks after his expulsion from Government, Mr Mutasa dispatched Rtd Col Mutasa into intimidating us, but again we insisted on the production of proof of payment as per the letter written to him by Mr Muzawazi. Rtd Col Mutasa expressed surprise at the letter written by Mr Muzawazi explaining the amount to be paid and terms of payment. How then did they pay?” quipped Mr Maligwa.

Mr Mutasa is refusing to budge claiming he bought the property, protesting instead that the council was playing politics.

He, however, admits he does not have the proof of purchase.

“I bought the house in 1984 but they refused to give me the title deeds,” he said.

“I would have produced the title deeds if they had given me. They should give me some rest and not heap every kind of stupid accusation on me.”

The Rusape Residents Trust has added its voice to the growing calls for council to repossess the house.

The trust’s chairperson Mr Martin Chaburumunda also called on Local Government Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo to assist the local authority to repossess the house occupied by the former Zanu-PF guru.

“It is common knowledge that Mutasa, a man of documented tyranny and brutality used political force and stamina to seize that property and as residents, we are behind the council in its efforts to repossess the stolen property.

“Mutasa has no justification whatsoever to claim ownership of a property when he has no evidence to buttress his claims.

“Mutasa is a well-informed politician who should know what to expect whenever transactions involving immovable properties take place. To claim that he was denied title deeds upon acquisition is not only foolish, but an attempt to make all of us foolish like he is,” said Mr Chaburumunda.Source: manicapost