City council to revise former minister Kagonye’s lease agreement to ‘rent’ Hillside recreational park

The Harare City Council has conceded that it erred in leasing out a recreational park in Hillide to   former Public Service minister Petronella Kagonye before proper assessment, Zim Morning Post can reveal.

In an interview with Zim Morning Post on Monday, Harare mayor Herbert Gomba said the council is re-evaluating the lease agreement it entered with Kagonye.

“The first issue is when the lease was signed, the council was not informed on the status of the land.

“We have tasked our lawyers to look at the lease agreement and also we are moving to negotiate with the lease holder with view of relocation,” said Gomba.

There has been a protracted battle between Hillside residents and city fathers after the politician  was leased a recreational park to use as a wedding venue.

Residents of Hillside are accusing the previous council of being corrupt for leasing the park to the former politician and have since appealed to the supreme courts for the reversal of the lease.

Speaking to this publication one resident said.

“This was done by the previous corrupt councillors who did not consult with residents the purpose of the land neither did they consult with the city planner rather they just sold the land after seeing it open”.

“This area is a park and wetland and we were given so that our kids can have a playground and if Kagonye takes the land it means we have been robbed off our right as residents.”

Harare residents have been complaining over the selling of wetlands and open spaces by Harare City Council without consultation, leaving to the continuous sprouting of illegal structures in the city.

This is not the first time council has sold land to second parties and resulting in serious court battles with the original occupants.

Some Harare residents have complained over the sale of infills by the city council arguing that this is done by corrupt officials.

The open spaces in residential areas were left for specific reasons among them for environmental, recreational as well as ecological purposes but the council has been taking advantage of residents who are not aware of their rights, said one resident from Hillside.

Our council has become corrupt and money making scheme yet destroying the image of the city, reiterated the resident.