Published by the government of Zimbabwe
11 March 2007
Marondera — Resettled farmers occupying farmhouses have been urged to vacate them to pave way for conversion of the houses into clinics or occupation by teachers and extension officers.
Mashonaland East Governor Cde Ray Kaukonde made the call when he officially opened Welcome Home Clinic in Macheke communal farming area.
The clinic, which is situated in ward 23 near Hanwa Centre was originally a farmhouse, which was converted by the community.
Cde Kaukonde castigated resettled farmers who rushed to occupy farmhouses left by former owners at the expense of civil servants in dire need of accommodation in the farming areas.
"Your idea of converting this farmhouse into a clinic should be emulated by other resettled farmers," he said.
Cde Kaukonde warned individuals who had vandalised farmhouses and those who had converted them into chicken runs.
"I will be personally touring the farming areas and assessing the condition of the farmhouses with a recommendation that they be converted into clinics or be occupied by civil servants.
"We cannot have a situation where people occupy double storey houses while keeping goats and chickens downstairs," said Cde Kaukonde.
Concern was raised at the function about some resettled farmers in the Chivarange area who are refusing to vacate a farmhouse to pave way for teachers desperate for accommodation.
Mashonaland East provincial medical director Dr Simukai Zizhou said the clinic could even grow into a mini hospital considering the size of the house.
Dr Zizhou said they would ensure two more nurses were deployed to the clinic.
Ward 23 councillor Cde Stanely Jakopo hailed the community for coming up with the idea.
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