By Own Correspondent| Aspindale Residents who are challenging Billy Rautenbach’s ownership of stand 48 and 49 have been threatened to stop pursuing the Court challenge against the controversial businessman.
Sources within the cooperatives alleged that the leadership of the cooperatives were summoned to a meeting this week where Minister Jorum Gumbo instructed the residents to comply with Billy Rautenbach’s demands and to also withdraw the court case challenging Rautenbach’s ownership of the land under contestation.
It is alleged that Joshua Nkomo Cooperative was also instructed to withdraw it’s court case against the Ministry of Local Government with immediate effect.
The sources further alleged that the leadership of the housing cooperatives were told to stop complaining about the issue that Billy has no Title Deeds over the land and stop convening meetings with residents anymore.
Residents further alleged that the Minister also demanded that the Cooperative should stop inviting their legislators, Themba Mliswa and Willias Madzimure to come and address them on this issue.
A source who spoke to CHRA alleged that residents were also told that any resistance to Rautenbach’s demands will attract arrests and armed forces would be deployed to stop any resistance to Rautebach’s efforts.
“Billy has no right over that place as he doesn’t have title deeds Honourable Gumbo should be aware and not abuse people like this.”Charged Honourable Mliswa.
Information gathered so far have proved that the controversial business man, Billy Rautenbach does not have title deeds over the land .
Attempts by the Ministry of Local Government to withdraw the offer letter it gave the Cooperatives hit a brick wall after the High Court in July this year declared the cancellation of the offer letter “null and void.”
The Aspindale issue is a litmus test for the ED administration on dealing with land barons.CHRA calls on the Zimbabwe government to respect and protect the right to shelter for Aspindale residents.
The threats by the Minister Gumbo are clear violations of the constitutional provisionsof the freedom of assembly and association as well as the right to shelter.
In responding to the perpetual human rights violations and oppression of Aspindale residents CHRA has commenced a process of engaging the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission over the gross human rights violations under way in Aspindale ,in addition to a litigation process under way.