The government is at it again blaming innocent citizens for its failure to implement viable projects the country can benefit from. Instead of dealing with land allocation in urban areas in a transparent manner, Zanu PF’s factional fights have compromised the process, causing untold suffering to whole families.
State media reports that the construction of the Olympafrica Centre in Epworth is once again likely to be delayed as the land that the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee was offered by the Epworth Local Board is still occupied by illegal settlers. The project is funded by the Olympafrica Foundation which supports projects in Africa and focuses on disadvantaged communities.It will be managed by ZOC and supported by the relevant local authorities.
ZOC and the Epworth Local Board signed an agreement in 2014 that was to see the National Olympic Committee building a multi-purpose centre in the area.
According to the agreement, the local board would provide land while ZOC secured the funding.
But the project might collapse as the Olympiafrica Foundation are reported to be concerned about the delay in getting it off the ground and might withdraw their funds amid reports that the Epworth Local Board are facing problems in trying to relocate the illegal settlers who are currently occupying the piece of land that they allocated to ZOC for the centre.
The Herald also understands that some officials of the Epworth Local Board “corruptly” parcelled out some stands to the illegal settlers that are currently occupying the piece of land that was earmarked for the construction of the Olympicafrica Centre.
And when contacted yesterday, the Epworth Local Board chairman, Tafireyi Murambidzi, said they are in the process of moving the illegal settlers to an alternative land.
“It’s true people had allocated themselves the place on their own. We are in a process of removing them. We could not just remove them without alternative structures . . . We need to give them temporary shelters. Right now we are looking for funds to put structures for them, we cannot just move them.

“They had taken close to three hectares out of the total five hectares. As council, it’s our mandate to remove them but when things are being planned they go through certain procedures. I can’t give the exact time when the process will be completed because of finance,” said Murambidzi.
There were similar problems last year, delaying the commencement of the project but the dispute over the land was resolved before a ground-breaking ceremony was held in April this year.
After the ceremony, indications were that work would begin in the a month later but the project has suffered a still birth. The project is expected to cost over $500 000 and would be completed in the next five years.
The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere, who was the guest of honour at the ground-breaking ceremony in April, yesterday pledged to look into the issue.
“I am going to get involved in the matter. I will go to Epworth and see what’s happening,” said Kasukuwere.
ZOC chief executive, Anna Mguni, said the status of the project will be determined this week and she dismissed reports that the Olympafrica Foundation was contemplating withdrawing the funds.
“The reports are not substantiated. The current status of the Olympafrica Epworth Centre project will be determined this week through local meetings due to be held. Thereafter an update report will be forwarded to the Olympafrica Foundation Board who are meeting in October whereupon the requisite decisions will be made regarding the project.
“ZOC remains optimistic that there is room for resolution and progress, given that the project represents a pivotal development for the community and a positive legacy for sport,” said Mguni. The centre will comprise a basic athletics track, a football pitch, multi-purpose court as well as a changing-room block.
It will also have a cultural component including offices for the director and volunteer staff, a youth foyer, a multi-purpose room to host conferences, concerts and shows, a library and works for practical work.