By Itai Mazire
Legislator Energy Mutodi has defended the allocation of residential stands to Members of Parliament in Harare, saying the move is necessary to address persistent accommodation challenges, while dismissing objections to a proposed housing project in Monavale as unfounded.
Speaking on the matter, Mutodi said MPs require permanent accommodation in the capital due to the demands of parliamentary business, which often requires them to be in Harare for most of the week.
“There are about 360 Members of Parliament, and many of them need accommodation while attending parliamentary business,” he said.
“Parliament sits in Harare, and MPs typically spend five days a week here, returning to their constituencies only briefly.”
He said reliance on hotels has proved unsustainable, with some establishments reportedly turning away legislators because of payment delays and limited availability during major events.
“We have seen situations where hotels have been overwhelmed or have turned away Members of Parliament due to delays in payment. This has created pressure and highlighted the need for a permanent solution,” he said.
Mutodi said the Government had identified land in various parts of Harare for residential stands to enable MPs to build their own accommodation.
However, the proposed allocation of stands to 23 legislators in Monavale has sparked controversy, with environmentalists and residents opposing the development.
Monavale is widely known for its proximity to protected wetlands and is associated with the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at conserving wetlands of ecological importance.
Critics argue that the area forms part of a sensitive ecosystem and should be preserved, raising concerns about environmental degradation and the potential impact on biodiversity.
However, Mutodi dismissed claims that the specific piece of land earmarked for MPs is a wetland.
“The City Council confirmed that the land in question is not a wetland, although it is located near one,” he said.
“The Ramsar Convention protects wetlands, not adjacent dry land.”
He added that the site is already being used for other activities, including informal farming, community gatherings and recreational purposes, which he said undermines claims that it is a strictly protected habitat.
Mutodi also claimed that opposition to the project was being driven by racial considerations, alleging that some residents in the predominantly affluent suburb did not want black homeowners, including MPs, settling in the area.
Authorities have yet to announce a final decision on the proposed Monavale housing stands.