Lone Zanu PF councillor wreaks havoc in Makokoba

By Lance Guma
24 August 2005

He might be the sole Zanu PF councillor in Bulawayo but he has made enough of a nuisance to affect the lives thousands of residents. Elliot Msipa who was elected to the Makokoba ward after the MDC had taken the decision to boycott all elections last year is carrying out a purge of opposition supporters in the high density suburb. Residents in rent-to-buy homes are being targeted for eviction as the controversial operation ‘murambatsvina’ assumes a new strategy. The tragedy is that with the high prevalence of HIV in the area, most of the households are headed by orphans and Msipa’s crusade is making no distinction. If you are opposition you are out.

The councillor who is assisted by a Residents Association stuffed with handpicked Zanu PF supporters has been making arbitrary decisions on housing matters and is slowly turning himself into a ‘housing god’. The newly emptied houses are then re-allocated to Zanu PF supporters. Prior to the Mayoral elections, the MDC held a rally at Stanley Hall in Makokoba and Msipa’s activities seemed to dominate complaints coming from residents. Lionel Saungweme who reports from Bulawayo says the councillor is aware he was elected by default and is eager to stuff the ward with party loyalists and secure his chances in a future election.