Councillors forced to open bank accounts

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CHIREDZI – Due to ever increasing cash crisis in the country, Chiredzi councillors have been forced to open bank accounts so that they can access their allowances through transfers, TellZim News can reveal.

Speaking during a Full Council Meeting last Wednesy, Chiredzi Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson Edward Matsilele said there is need for every councillor to open an instant account in order to receive their $80 monthly allowances starting June.

Councillors however protested saying the amount was too little for one to open a bank account for. They argued that the bank charges were going to take much of the money.

 “It’s impossible; we cannot open a bank account to access a mere $80 allowances, that money will be swallowed by the bank charges. Why troubling us,” said Ward 26 councillor Anthony Magabude who was visibly seething with anger. 

Chiredzi RDC chief executive officer Isaac Matsilele told the councillors who seem to be opposing the idea of bank accounts that they have no option since cash crisis was a national issue.

“Cash crisis is a national issue and Chiredzi council cannot be exempted therefore everyone should have a bank account. We cannot debate this because we have no hard cash to give you,” said Matsilele.

Another councillor Tiyani Chilonga, however, opted for Ecocash accounts saying they cannot travel from as far as malipati to queue in the bank to withdraw $80 only. Matsillele insisted that there was no any other options except opening bank accounts.news