By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

Business strategist, Brian Sedze, has started a petition to stop the sale of part of the Harare Gardens to Africa Sun, a leading hospitality establishment.

The Harare City Council has announced its intention to sell a big swathe of the recreational gardens to Africa Sun Hotels for a reported $1.7 million.

The hospitality giant runs the Holiday Inn franchise on behalf of the InterContinental Hotel Group and is reportedly planning to construct a conference centre and shopping malls, among other projects, on the Harare Gardens premises.

“The payment that would be obtained (from the sale) will enable the City of Harare to cover just a week of outstanding salaries.

“The City of Harare is acutely desperate to plunder natural resources and immense flora of Harare by partnering the devil incarnate in the form of Africa Sun,” reads the petition.

The petitioner is worried that the sale would destroy the rich flora and fauna in the recreational park and starve city dwellers of leisure.

See the petition below

Lets help stop the city council from selling Harare gardens to Africa Sun

“The Harare Gardens is the main garden in the city. The gardens are very beautiful and they are an ideal place for leisure, especially if you work in the city centre.

“The Harare Gardens is one of the few remaining open spaces available for the socially and economically disadvantaged people to relax over weekends and lunch times. This picturesque park is enjoyed by workers, visitors and residents…Its priceless,” added the petition.

The park is home to the popular Rooftop Promotions theatre and houses the Les Brown swimming pool.

“The City of Harare has abundant more space to offer these anti-people companies to construct conference facilities that only the rich have access to.

“We require huge pressure on the City Council and the government to stop this madness. The people want their park and the flora require preservation,” said Sedze.

The petition is being delivered to Harare residents, members of parliament, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Zimbabwe Council of Tourism, United Nations World Tourism Organisation, the Harare mayor and the World Travel and Tourism Council, among others. Nehanda Radio