By James Gwati- Suspected land Barrons in Harare South’s Southlea Park high-density suburb, at the weekend sponsored local thugs and blocked the area’s Member of Parliament, Tongai Mnangagwa from meeting with residents.

Mnangagwa was scheduled to visit the area on Saturday where he wanted to interact with residents and hear their concerns.

His failed trip was also going to be a fact-finding tour which he wanted to use to lobby for the urgent regularisation of the peri-urban setting.

According to the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trusts (ZNOART), an Apex body representing all associations and residents which had organised the visit by Mnangagwa, violent youths disrupted the tour.

“ There was a barbaric scene yesterday in Southlea park when violent youths attacked residents who were waiting to be addressed by Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa,” said ZNOART.

The residents association said the violent youths were sent by one Pfundukwa whom Southlea Park residents have been are accusing of selling stands on wetlands and on areas set aside for schools, clinics etc illegally.