Suburban
Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter
COMMUNITY leader Mr Brian Shenje says he left the Greendale Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) because the current structures and policies of the body are not “really conducive for development in the area.”
In an interview after the GRRA meeting on Saturday, Mr Shenje said he has had instances where he has been asked to not carry out development.
“But then GRRA doesn’t also do it, so the community has been left without an improvement and I felt that didn’t work.
“And I work with a lot of residents in doing community work. A lot of residents are engaged. They want things to work.
“We are very organised and it’s a case of people who genuinely want to do work without being directed or instructed. I think I mentioned in the meeting that in one case, a lady I recruited into the GRRA electricity sub-committee was then overshadowed by the board.
“She has since left GRRA and continued to do the work that she’s passionate about.
“And I worked very closely with her in order to ensure we arrange the high level engagement with ZETDC (held last week) which is what’s important,” he said.
Asked if he has any political ambitions, Mr Shenje said he’s not a politician. Council and parliamentary elections are due in July/August this year.
“But I am definitely into development.
“I believe there’s a lot that needs to be done and the authority is the one they channel through what needs to be done. So definitely you will see me in the next coming months doing the best I can do for the community.
“Considering the work that I have done as an individual whilst we have a sitting councillor who should have been doing those things, I feel I can do much more,” he said.
Mr Shenje said he was not working alone in his efforts but with other residents.
“And speaking of sustainability that was talked about at this meeting. It’s not a scenario where I work by myself, I happen to be a leader within the community and I stand in front of other people. Some people don’t want to be known. Some people just want to do the work. So it’s not a case where if I drop down today, everything stops. The community can be assured that those who come to my inbox to say can I help get involved as there is always something to do,” he said.
He said they will also push all these people, helping in the background, back into the GRRA as soon as the body shows it is pro-development.
Mr Shenje said he was asked by Mr Mafingei Nyamwanza (GRRA development chairperson) to stop the waste management role that he plays.
“For example, this clean-up, I had planned to clean up Letombo.
“I had asked (company name withheld) to use their equipment to then clean up a dump. Unfortunately, Mr Nyamwanza said he was going to arrange the next National Clean-Up and insisted that I step aside so that GRRA can be seen. I agreed because I support GRRA in principle, as an association.
“They didn’t do anything and of course Letombo is now affected because their slot in terms of the cleanup programme has been taken away,” he said.
Asked who funds him, Mr Shenje said he does not use much money for the work he carries out.
“I put in my time, council does their work, some residents contribute a TLB to clean up a dump.
“Most of the work that I do is lobbying, speaking to people within council, the various Ministries, in departments and agencies and just trying to find the right space for them to do their job according to regulations. I’m letting them know that as residents, we are not going to accept anything less,” he said.
Mr Nyamwanza denied blocking Mr Shenje from carrying out any community work.
“Brian resigned from the GRRA development committee. (I have the resignation on WhatsApp. He was the vice chair and chairperson of the waste management sub-committee. I never stopped him from doing anything. He decided to carry out the duties that he is carrying outside the GRRA development committee. He also resigned from the GRRA board.”
Suburban was shown Mr Shenje’s resignation letter.
“Good afternoon members. I am stepping down as deputy chairperson of this committee with immediate effect. I will continue my voluntary work within the community separately and remain available to help out if I may be useful. All the best in developing Greendale,” he wrote in the resignation letter.
But Mr Shenje said Mr Nyamwanza showed Suburban the incorrect letter.
The correct letter, according to Mr Shenje, was dated January 14, 2023 and he also showed it to Suburban.
“I hereby resign from the Development Committee of the Greendale Residents and Ratepayers Association with immediate effect. I would like to concentrate on helping out in the community which is being hampered, to the detriment of residents, by GRRA policy and targeted board sentiment. I will remain on the board, unless otherwise excluded, in order to provide a much needed corporate governance role,” read the letter.
In a statement, the GRRA board said after Mr Shenje resigned, it was agreed that his activities would be aligned to those of the residents’ association.
“Mr Brian Shenje was the vice chairman of the development committee and was co-opted by the board to be a member of the GRRA board to ensure alignment and coordinated action of the various development sub-committees.
“He resigned from the development committee and later from the GRRA board citing that he believed he could move at a faster pace in his individual capacity.
“It was agreed with Mr Shenje that his activities would be aligned with GRRA and indeed the last clean-up at Latimer Road was done as a collaboration and the GRRA chairman remains in communication with him,” the GRRA board said.
It said the GRRA has never blocked any community initiative.
“GRRA works with and for the community and encourages all residents to actively participate to improve service delivery and the quality of livelihoods for all residents. GRRA has never sought to stop any initiative that is in the interest of residents but to ensure clarity of communication and alignment.
“We however encourage residents to work with GRRA and specifically in respect of communication with key stakeholders and authorities given that GRRA is the recognised body and has the mandate to represent residents.
“So Mr Shenje enjoys a good relationship with GRRA and has its support.”
