The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
The Chipinge Town Council says it has lost control of the small farming town’s country club as the derelict facility no longer serves its purpose.
Country clubs, often with a membership quota and admitting patrons through invitation or sponsorship, offer both sports and recreational facilities.
Typical athletic offerings are golf, tennis, and swimming.
However, a visit by Post Sport to Chipinge Country Club this week revealed a sorry state of affairs at the facility which is now housing individuals doing various income generating projects.
Churches and a school are some of the tenants there.
Swimming pools at the club have been turned into dumping sites while a bar at the club now houses a brothel.
The perimeter fence has also been vandalised.
The country club’s golf course has been turned into a residential area.
Chipinge Town Council management said they are not pocketing any revenue from the country club’s rentals, arguing that some individuals are benefiting from the abuse of the property.
The town council chairperson, Councillor Zivanai Nyakuchena, said the Land Commission was handling the club’s issue, which might see them repossessing it.
“The council is not collecting any revenue from the country club.
“That issue is currently above council. The Land Commission is handling it and we are waiting for their ruling.
“When that issue was tabled before the Commission recently, it was one of the hottest issues,” said Cllr Nyakuchena.
Residents interviewed expressed dismay over the state of affairs at the country club.
Mr Ashirai Mawere said the country club is owned by Chipinge Town Council and therefore they must resuscitate it.
“The state of infrastructure is pathetic, no repairs are happening. The hooligans running the club are looting resources from this once glamorous venue.
“We could have community activities there, an arts centre, a library and a meeting place for residents but these hooligans seem to have an upper hand,’’ said Mr Mawere.
Another resident, Mr Lenny Makotore, said the club needed to be urgently rehabilitated.
“Chipinge is entertainment starved because there are no facilities for recreational activities. We hope the country club will be resuscitated to serve its purpose,’’ he said.
