NEW: Harare residents call for Harare City Council, Sakunda dialogue  

25 Nov, 2022 - 11:11 0 Views
NEW: Harare residents call for Harare City Council, Sakunda dialogue  

The Sunday Mail

Online Reporter

THE Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has expressed concern over the impasse between the Harare City Council (HCC) and Sakunda Holdings over the modernisation of Rufaro Stadium.

Sakunda Holdings had proposed a multi-million-dollar project to renovate the stadium and to also build shopping malls around the venue.

However, the energy giant last week pulled the plug on the deal, citing “toxicity” at HCC, where some officials are being accused of dragging politics into the issue.

This development has riled up Harare residents, who believe the refurbishment of Rufaro will not only bring back top-flight football to its ceremonial home, but will also complement the municipality’s desire to achieve world-class city status by 2025.

Consequently, the HRT have reminded HCC that it is a public institution “that is wholly answerable to the public”.

“The heated media exchanges between Sakunda Holdings and the City of Harare over the refurbishment, control and terms of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties over Rufaro Stadium are most unfortunate if the world-class city vision of 2025 is to be fulfilled,” said the HRT in a statement on Thursday.

“The Harare Residents Trust, representing nearly 80 000 members, have noted the contents of the exchanges and believe that it is important to remind both Sakunda Holdings and the City of Harare that they should put the interests of Harare residents above their interests in the handling of their negotiations.”

The HRT says it welcomes Sakunda’s gesture to improve the city’s infrastructure as they are worried by the derelict state of Rufaro Stadium.

The Mbare venue has not been functional for almost four years.

“Going forward, the HRT urges Sakunda Holdings’ leadership and the City of Harare to sit down and find each other for the sake of football in Harare,” added HRT.

“Rufaro Stadium can bring in the much-needed revenues to the council if it is modernised and meets FIFA and CAF requirements.”

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds