Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru – In a move meant to foster transparency and accountability, residents and stakeholders have urged Gweru City Council to prioritize consultation on public funds to promote inclusivity and effective citizen participation.
The call was made during a pre-budget review consultative meeting held in Gweru last week.
The budget performance review and pre-budget consultation was focused on assessing how the 2022 budget funds were used and taking in community’s input ahead of the formulation of 2023 budget.
Speaking during the engagement, Gweru Residents Forum director Charles Mazorodze said council does not consult residents and stakeholders properly with regards to public funds as the disbursements of the devolution funds are not communicated to the people.
He added that, it is hard for residents to be actively involved in key decision processes like budget formulations as management and council would have passed their positions on certain decisions in most cases.
“The most key and important thing we value as stakeholders is inclusion in most council processes and projects mapping. As residents, we have a say in every decision you may sort to implement as we are the ratepayers.
“Consultations are key, we need them. A platform like this one where we undergo the budget review would encourage residents to attend in their numbers. Right now the community is not aware how much devolution funds were disbursed, how were they disbursed and used. We want to be active players in project mapping and have our areas of concern addressed as residents,” he said.
This year Gweru City was allocated ZW$ 302 million under devolution but due to delays in disbursement, a lot of projects are on hold, a development which has been seen as a major setback to the community.
Gweru Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee however said as of last month about ZW$ 44 million out of the ZW$ 302 million had been disbursed.
She added that with this year’s allocation which had been disbursed, council has managed to do something for the city.
“As for our 2022 devolution funds, we received something. The money which was disbursed is ZW$ 44 million. So we deposited a tender for two trucks.
“However, the money disbursed is not enough for a single truck, so we are still trying to raise more money to ensure that we procure the trucks as per plan,” she said.
However some of the paid up projects as reflected by the 2022 devolution funds statement as of July 31, 2022: four skip bins were paid for at ZW$ 704 024, street lights rehabilitation at ZW$ 5 million, transformer at ZW$ 6 million, new Front End Loader at ZW$ 15 million, New Tipper at ZW$ 9 million, Ambulance at ZW$ 7 million, tractor at ZW$ 2 million and Electrical fittings/ boards at ZW$ 6.7 million.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) representative Rebecca Butawu said under next year’s devolution funds, there was need to prioritize the resuscitation of roads networks.
“Our council has a challenge, if your funds are allocated by the Central government under devolution they are not disbursed in time.
“As council, I want to know if follow ups are ever done to account for the remaining money. At least we need that money to be carried over to the following year.
“Kindly consider the state of our road networks in the city in next year’s budget, we need proper roads in our wards,” she said.
Brisky Ncube a Gweru youth also urged council to prioritize resuscitation of entertainment facilities in order to curb drug abuse.
“Yes, water is a priority; we need our water networks to be revamped. Invest again in the social wellbeing of the community. We no longer have sporting facilities as young people like theatres and recreational centres to keep youth away from social ills.
“Let’s combat the spread of drug abuse by establishing such therapeutic facilities. Prioritize youth needs in our next year’s devolution funds budget,” he urged.
Gweru Council Finance Committee chairperson and ward 3 councillor Martin Chivhoko said delays in the disbursement of devolution funds was greatly affecting proper consultation to be conducted.

…Residents castigate government fire tender decision

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-Residents have castigated the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for prioritizing a fire tender to Chiredzi Town Council, which has already made payments for its Fire truck using devolution funds instead of upgrading the town’s water reticulation system.
Acute water shortages continue to be a thorn in flesh for the small sugarcane town dwellers.
Chiredzi Residents and Rate Payers Association (CHIRRA) chairperson Jonathan Muusha said the idea was good but not for Chiredzi as residents face water challenges, which is a constitutional right.
“The purchase of fire tenders by government was good, but not in our situation. Chiredzi Town Council had already procured a fire tender and those funds were now supposed to be channelled towards construction of new water works system at Chiredzi River. The town is fast growing and the demand for water is increasing daily.
“I therefore pray that government hears our plea on water situation, especially in ward 5 which has gone for over 35 years with serious water problems. It pains that women and children are suffering, searching for water and they are sometimes raped, have their property stolen while out there looking for the precious liquid,” said Muusha.
Ward 5 is one of the oldest suburbs in Chiredzi and has gone for many years without water.
Chiredzi Low and Medium Residents Association (CLMRA) chairperson Denford Chikanyau also echoed the same sentiments that water is a constitutional right which should always be prioritized before anything else.
“The water issue should have been the first priority before anything else. Water is a right to the people, water is life. In Chiredzi, one fire tender is enough so prioritizing a fire tender is a disgrace to the residents who have never tasted showers in their houses. I think they should have done some consultations first with the residents on which projects to prioritize first.
“This is a very sad story to see residents lining up at a borehole during the middle of the night and women are at risk of being raped on their way to the borehole. If council still has the chance to reverse this, they must do so. Council should have argued their case before government go ahead and procure fire tenders. Our challenges differ by location, ours is of water,” said Chikanyau.
Chiredzi Town Council Acting chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire also highlighted that the decision by the government is like taking residents for granted as they are supposed to be consulted first on what needs to be done but when the money is availed, it is channelled towards what the minister deems necessary.
“Minister called us at his office where we highlighted what was in urgent need at our local authority to be covered by devolution funds which was mainly water and sanitation issues. After those consultations where residents also indicated that water sewer reticulation was an urgent need, which we also highlighted to be covered in our budget, the minister just points that we need fire engines. So we have taken residents for granted and end up being at war with residents. So this is a national crisis as almost every local authority is complaining about it,” said Makumire.
On June 14, 2022, The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo directed local government authorities to purchase fire trucks from Belarus on a government to government agreement, where each rural local authority will get one fire tender while urban local authorities and metropolitans will get two and three respectively at a cost of US$ 464 296 each.
Chiredzi Town Council is being served by Tongaat Hulett’s fire tender to deal with its fire problems and is currently anticipating for delivery of one of their own which they bought using devolution funds together with the recently delivered Refuse Truck, which will be sufficient to serve the small community of Chiredzi.
Residents, though they say the idea is okay, thought it was not a priority for government to force local authorities towards purchasing fire tender rather than upgrading the town’s water supply system.

Lydia Koto

ZAKA- A family from ward 24, Zaka West, was recently left impoverished after their entire household property was reduced to ashes after fire razed down their house.

The family is now appealing for help from well-wishers in form of cash, clothing, food and any other household requirements.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday October 2 during the night when they woke up to find the hut they were sleeping in had caught fire and its source is yet to be established.

Ward 24 councillor Stellah Shambira confirmed the incident to TellZim and said Sarah Mapfekedze and her two children were left without anything to eat and appealed for help on their behalf.

“Mapfekedze’s house was gutted by fire at night and everything inside the house was destroyed. The incident happened when Mapfekedze and her children were sleeping inside. When they woke up the roof was about to fall in and they managed to escape unhurt,” said Shambira.

She went on to say she was making efforts to help Mapfekedze and her family and has since contacted the District Development Coordinator (DDC)’s office, Social Welfare and they hope to get help.

“I called the DDC’s office, the MP and the Social welfare department but we haven’t got anything so far but it is our hope that they will help us. I recently mobilized the community and managed to raise US$ 30 and some pledged to help with maize but that is not enough for the family,” said Shambira.

She also added that the family of five has no proper shelter as they are left with a small and unfinished flat which is not yet properly roofed saying they will be in a serious situation if it rains.

“The family was left with a small and an unfinished flat without floor and its roof has holes and if it rains now they will be in a serious situation.” She added.

Those willing to help can get in touch with the councilor on 0784997289 since the family lost their cellphones in the inferno.

Branton Matondo

Mutare City’s Yeovil and Dangamvura cemeteries have gone under scrutiny following expression of worries by Chikanga and Dangamvura residents at large over the expansion of graveyards towards residential areas.
The graveyard talk was brought to the attention of city fathers from stakeholders during a budget consultation on September 28 at Queens Hall.
A concerned resident of Chikanga phase 1 who spoke during the budget engagements said Yeovil cemetery is extending towards the main road and it is disturbing to note that the distance between the much talked about graveyard and the road is just a stone throw away.
“Yeovil cemetery is extending towards Chikanga residential area and residents from that phase are facing challenges each and every day because it’s not easy to be exposed to funeral sessions and coffins daily at close proximity,” said the resident.
She added that children have become ‘captain imitators’ of funeral sessions and it is a problem on how children bear witness to such traumatic experiences.
“Children have become imitators of everything they see happening at the exposed grave yard. Children have even gone to extent of making up their own little coffins and graveyards when playing and socializing. They even take flowers at graveyards as they try to copy in their plays,” she added.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) leader Chief Svosve real name David Mutambirwa commented on the troubling situation and said council’s neglect on securing graveyards is undermining the sacredness of death which should be sacrosanct.
“As a culturist and traditional leader, I totally agree with the residents’ concerns. Death by its nature is a sacred occasion and should be treated as such. It is morally and culturally unacceptable to maliciously expose children and even adults to funeral experiences. Urgent attention should be taken to take this unpalatable experience from Chikanga residents,” said Chief Svosve.
The outspoken heritage guru added that council should prioritize construction of a boundary before the problem goes haywire.
“I recommend the erection of a structure to protect members of the public from the happenings at the cemetery and in future, there’s need to consult residents on any initiative which has an impact on their lives including traditional leadership, churches, and other relevant stakeholders,” he added.
Another resident who was also part of meeting pointed out the need for council to construct ablution facilities at graveyards.
She added that the same situation obtaining at Yeovil cemetery is also being experienced at Dangamvura cemetery though the latter’s situation is much worse.
“Do you know that stray cattle come from nearby places like Dora vandalizing tomb stones and graves? As council, you charge a fee for families to set a tombstone but the challenge is not being addressed. It’s now a menace and we call for council to act quickly,” she said.
Council representatives at the meeting however assured Mutare residents that a budget is already in place with figures amounting to over US$ 5 000 for both graveyards.
They also reassured residents that construction of ablution blocks and placement of security perimeters have also been prioritized in the budget.

Emmanuel Chitsika

Teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe have said the role of educators are supposed to play in transforming the educational sector is far from becoming reality if one is to judge by the situation on the ground.
The remark was made by teacher unions as they joined the rest of the world on October 05 to commemorate World Teachers’ Day under the theme ‘Transformation of education begins with teachers’.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said the 2022 commemoration comes at a time when the country’s education sector has seen its dignity stripped away.
“This year’s theme speaks to the importance of prioritizing the teacher as the first and crucial step towards transforming education for the better. For us in Zimbabwe, this comes at a critical time when the sector has moved from being the pride of Africa to a source of shame for the country.
“The average teacher in Zimbabwe is severely underpaid and incapacitated to effectively deliver and equip students with quality education. The situation is compounded by the underfunding of the sector in general where learning resources and infrastructure is inadequate to ensure effective learning,” said Masaraure.
He went on to say ARTUZ has since improvised to come up with a sub-theme reflective of the state of affairs in Zimbabwe.
“As ARTUZ, we are advancing a sub theme for this year’s celebrations to state that ‘teachers under siege. Save our education’ as a way of speaking the realities of our country and sector specific challenges,” added Masaraure.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said for Zimbabwean teachers, there is virtually nothing to celebrate as educators are going through a lot of challenges.
“There is nothing to celebrate in Zimbabwe. Teachers are mourning their fall from grace to grass with monotonous regularity. Teachers are underpaid and living in squalor. Despite loss of learning time due to Covid-19, there is very little prioritization of pedagogical diversification and embracing of technology and transformation.
“There is no collective bargaining, social dialogue or seriousness on addressing the legitimate challenges faced by teachers. There is prioritization of retention of power and lack of investment in quality public education,” said Dr Zhou.
Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (Zinatu) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manuel Nyawo however had no kinds for government saying teachers are commemorating their misery, destitution, neglect, enslavement, slavery and impoverishment coupled with dampened hope.
“The president (Emmerson Mnangagwa) has always said ‘no one must be left behind’ but it pains that teachers are actually and as a matter of fact left behind in salaries, allowances, accommodation and self-sustaining projects. We have a life to live after retirement but sadly our salaries do not speak to that and this goes to apply to all civil servants as we have nothing to show.
“How do we celebrate failure to fend for our children, failure to send our children to school while resorting to buying cheap clothes and foot wear as we can’t to do that in decent shops,” said Nyawo.
Government and teachers have been at logger heads when it comes to the latter’s remuneration which has led to threats to and strikes at times as the employer is reluctant to meet the demands of the employee.