…Deserted Masvingo devolution-funded boreholes: case of policy inconsistency?
Emmanuel Chitsika
During the run-up to the March 26, 2022, local government and parliamentary by-elections great stride were made on part of aspiring candidates embarking on a number of borehole drilling schemes or projects in areas of contest in a move some have thought is part of the rhetoric electioneering campaign projects which soon cease to be carried on once elections are over.
In Masvingo province the two House of Assembly Zanu PF aspirants and eventual winners Munyaradzi Zizhou (Chivi South) and Master Makope (Mwenezi East) openly admitted to ‘partly’ using devolution funds towards borehole drilling schemes while at the same time claiming to channelling own resources towards the initiative.
In Masvingo Urban constituency where four wards (3, 4, 5 and 7) were at stake to replace councillors recalled by MDC Alliance’s Douglas Mwonzora, devolution funds were reportedly used towards drilling of boreholes while the District Development Fund (DDF) water rig was used to drill some of the boreholes.
What has made Masvingo case a more peculiar is the manner in which the projects were undertaken that is in terms of seeking council approval towards the projects while at the same time the funding remains a mystery as the person in charge of the provincial development initiatives Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Jefta Sakupwanya has on record given contrasting answers concerning the projects.
During one of the campaign rallies in ward 5 where Zanu PF candidate Hakinstone Chimwai was contesting, politburo member Lovemore Matuke openly declared that the project was being undertaken after approval by Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
“Your councillor here asked for solar-powered boreholes and minister of state has approved. We have also approved that and soon you will have them. I heard council has increased rates by 400 percent, so if they continue to rise, you just close the tap and go to the borehole,” claimed Matuke in March.
However Dr Sakupwanya vehemently denied that devolution funds were being used towards propagating party projects.
“Devolution funds cannot be used for campaigns. What happens is that there are annual programmes of drilling three boreholes per ward to be undertaken under the supervision of Dr Masuka (Minister of Lands) where government buys water rigs so that the programmes can be implemented for purposes of ensuring water security.
“There is no way devolution funds could be diverted towards campaigns unless it is meant to meet the needs of the community as would have been identified by council,” he said.
Quizzed on the fact that council through Mayor Collen Maboke has said the boreholes were sunk wantonly without their blessing, Dr Sakupwanya promised to investigate the case as he said council should be aware of the projects since devolution funds are channeled into their coffers.
“So who is behind the drilling of those boreholes if council declines such? Council is supposed to be in charge of devolution programmes and if they say they are not aware of it, then who assumes responsibility? Devolution fund is given to council, so it is impossible to say there are programmes that are done under the facility with council not knowing about it.
“Devolution is meant to meet the needs of the community. As the provincial secretary, I do not have any funds because the money is at councils. I am just there to monitor the expenditure and see to it that the funds are rightfully used for the intended purpose. I would despatch a team to monitor all those allegations. Even the president (Emmerson Mnangagwa) does not condone disorder. We strongly disown such indiscipline as we promote order,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
However three months down the line the boreholes are lying idle with residents continuing facing acute water shortages in and around the city. Rujeko suburb which falls under ward 7 faces recurrent water pipe bursts, residents going for many hours with dry taps despite looking at the solar and water storage tanks stands and the borehole at Jazire shopping centre proving helpless.
This publication later on (two months after the elections in which Zanu PF fared dismally in Masvingo urban to CCC) asked Dr Sakupwanya why the boreholes are not being utilized to ease the burden of water shortages off residents and he said the president is the one who has got the saying on the boreholes and thus they would function after his blessing to do so.
“Presidential borehole drilling scheme is the president’s programme which is going to benefit people in and around Masvingo especially those in the rural areas.
“Why do you want to focus much on the urban instead of the rural set up? There is too much wide coverage in urban than rural set up,” he added.
Asked then in March on the arrangement in which the DDF was drilling boreholes aspiring election candidates were using as part of their campaign trail, Masvingo DDF provincial coordinator Marasa Hamudi Gutukunuhwa said the authority was just carrying out its mandate to serve the community.
“As DDF, we are just carrying out our programmes as we are mandated to. I don’t know if there are individuals who might want to take advantage of such to campaign for political posts,” said Gutukunuhwa.
The principle of devolution of equipping lower tiers of government with resources and ensuring semi-autonomy remains a mystery especially in the wake of central government interfering in local authority operations with the responsible minister dictating pace on and how the projects are conducted while the ordinary citizenry have no saying on the projects of importance in their respective areas.
In some cases council management would determine on behalf on intended beneficiaries areas of priority to be undertaken using the funding.
Recently there was a public outcry nationwide after local government minister July Moyo’s ministry ordered all local authorities to submit to his directive to purchase fire tenders from President Mnangwagwa’s Belarusian counterpart and friend at the cost of US$ 462 000 each using devolution funds despite some local authorities have budgeted the funding towards other projects.
