Wellington Nare never imagined seeing a ‘mafia business centre’ in Gwanda, a growing mining town which is also the Matabeleland South provincial capital. Greenland complex, described as a ‘mafia business centre’ by locals because of illegal activities at the premises, is located in Phakama Township, Ward 8.
“In terms of their initial application made to the council in 2018, it is said they (applicants) wanted to create a youth centre but the current activities at the place are far from it,” says Nare, the secretary general of Gwanda Residents Association.”
“It’s now a vuzu centre, a mafia business centre.”
Wellington nare
Nare is one of the many Gwanda town residents who believe that the complex is used as a campaign tool to buy youths’ votes by politicians who give them freedom to conduct unregistered business dealings at the premises.
“The politicians are using the area to lure votes and it has become one case of irregular land use which the municipality has failed to address owing to the reasons that the beneficiaries are associated with Zanu PF or connected to senior politicians,” says Nare who argues that the area has become a security threat within the community due to numerous criminal cases reported in the area.
Nare adds: “From our investigations, the local councillor Ntuthuko Ndebele, is said to be part of the Greenland executive as a patron. Anyone is allowed into the premises as a customer but no one can enforce any bylaws or regulations as there is an organised militia which reacts violently to that.”
Another resident, Dingilizwe Ndlovu concurs with Nare and adds that the environment at the complex is ‘hostile and intimidating.’
“Almost every youth operating in that complex is politically affiliated with the ruling party which makes us believe that the councillors are using the premises as a political gimmick to buy votes as this was the case in 2018,” Ndlovu says.
“At first it used to be better but it has become worse over the years. There are suspected CIOs around the complex and youths from the ruling party making it evident that it’s their place and they are using it to lure votes.”
But Ward 8 councillor Ntuthuko Ndebele, who is also the patron of the Greenland complex, says while Zanu-PF youths outnumber youths from other political parties, it is politically incorrect to allege that the place is used to lure votes.
“Yes, youths can vote for me but this should be based on how I am helping them because I think we’re in-line with the president’s 2030 vision which seeks to provide employment to youths,” he says.
“Currently, the complex has provided space to close to 150 youths whereas over 250 youths failed to secure spaces due to limitations. Unfortunately, I can’t give specific details pertaining to each shop owner’s political affiliations but I think we’re all benefitting. The challenge now is that some youths there are selling alcohol…”
The Greenland complex has many small tuck shops which range from butcheries, barbershops, bars, restaurants, bakeries and car washes. The place, which residents say has various unplanned buildings, is always packed with people in need of services on offer.
Despite its busy nature and location near a perennial flow of sewage in Manzamnyama River, there is only one toilet.
Residents fear this could be a health time bomb as patrons are treating the river as an open defecation exposing them to fecal related diseases such as diarrhoea.
The residents have recognised the place as a breeding ground for criminals as it harbours ‘amabhambadzi’ (artisanal miners) who enjoy all sorts of illegal drugs and substances from unlicensed bars.
Attempts to get a comment from at least one shop owner operating at the Greenland complex were in vain.
Gwanda Mayor Councillor Njabulo Siziba was not keen on responding to questions when reached for comment.
The Citizen Bulletin engaged the mayor from February 21, 2022 to the time of publishing, but to no avail.
Unofficial sources at the Municipality of Gwanda confirmed that a number of shop owners are operating without any licenses at the Greenland complex citing that the local authority fears retribution while enforcing the town’s bylaws.