By Fanuel Chinowaita
Residents of Chavhanga have raised concerns over a new directive from the local council requiring each household to pay $10.
This policy has reportedly opened the door for some village heads to exploit residents by demanding bribes, rather than ensuring payments are made directly to the council.
Members of apostolic sects are among the hardest hit, as they are reportedly required to pay $10 per wife. This has created significant financial strain, especially for families with multiple spouses.
In another issue causing outrage, villagers in Mukambachaza accuse the village head of charging $150 for stand allocations. This includes stands for residential or business construction, even on land that already belongs to the affected families.
Speaking anonymously, one resident said, “The council’s demands have become a burden for many of us. Some village heads are taking advantage of the situation to demand extra money for their personal gain. It’s frustrating because even on our family land, we are being forced to pay outrageous fees.”
Efforts to get comments from the Chavhanga village head and council officials were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Residents are now calling for urgent intervention to address what they describe as unfair and exploitative practices.