Russell Mapuvire

ZVISHAVANE – Three men employed by Pote Hardware as general workers recently appeared in court on allegations of stealing 332 (50) kgs of PPC cement.
Prince Muroyi (22), Trinity Ndukwana (29) and Only Shumba (29) appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga on the February 8 2022 to answer to the theft charges and were remanded in custody to February 22 2022
It is the state case that the three accused people unlawfully took the cement from the hardware during period extending from December 2021 to February 2022 when Muroyi was then caught red handed.
The trio took the advantage of the absence of the supervisor at their workplace and stole 332 bags of cement on different occasions
Their luck ran out when Muroyi was caught with three bags of cement which he had stolen and was arrested.
Further investigations unearthed that the accused had been stealing cement together with his two accomplices.
The stolen cement was valued at US$3320 and only US$30 was recovered.
Isheanesu Mashayanye represented the state.

…does implementation need revisit?

Emmanuel Chitsika

The principle of devolution adopted by the Zimbabwean government in 2013 with the aim of decentralising power from central to lower tiers of government with the major aim to promote sustainable, representative, accountable, inclusive and socio-economic development among other issues seem to be hitting a nail on a hard wall as far as some operations of local authorities are concerned.
In the past, local authorities used to collect vehicle taxes, the revenue which would be channeled towards various projects like road maintenance and such other issues within their locality, but with the introduction of Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) taking over the reins, things have arguably taken another twist.
Incapacitation of local authorities to finance the devolution agenda has been cited as a major undoing, detrimental to the development aim.
Socio-economic activist Abel Sibanda said the audit report on Zinara for the period 2017 and 2019 presented before parliament by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concluded that the establishment deviates from its key functions altogether.
“The report presented to PAC on October 27, 2020 following the committee’s analysis of Zinara’s 2017 and 2019 audit reports together with the 2017 forensic audit concluded that the organisation has deviated from its key functions as defined in the enabling Roads Act.
“It also failed its mandate under the same Act hence government was urged to re-examine Zinara’s mandate on whether or not they are fulfilling their obligations and its policy expectations and aspirations from its formation and consider whether the issue of roads and road maintenance still best served by the establishment. Given this background, it is evident that Zinara is failing to adequately execute its mandate as a centralised entity to collect and use the funds collected for the road fund,” said Sibanda.
He went on to say if the principle of devolution was to be followed, local authorities are better positioned to drive the agenda of development.
“Local authorities can do better given that they are the ones with direct knowledge of areas of need in their locales. Corruption noted in several audits at Zinara is a result of centralised funds, where money is managed by a central authority which evidently does not seem to have systems to manage it, corruption is inevitable.
“Decentralising the collection and use of vehicle licence money and other related moneys will help reduce corruption for each local authority will be directly accountable to people and by nature, they would act competitively in trying to effectively use the money and thus generally benefit citizens and motorists in particular,” he added.
Sibanda argued that devolution is rather key when it comes to collection and use of road funds where the collection would be effective, given that local authorities have manpower to enforce payment of licences.
Economist Caleb Gwaindepi said the centralization of revenue collection which used to be the role of councils is negatively impacting on their budgets as they face shortfalls to provide services.
“Government is preaching devolution in terms of service provision but they want to continue holding the revenue flows and determining how the funds are used. So it will be difficult for devolution to be a success as the regions lack adequate budgets and control over their budgets and source of funds,” said Gwaindepi.
Youth economic activist with ActionAid Receive Nyamutamba said the aspect of devolution is still in its infancy as most if not all issues are decided at national level.
“I think devolution in Zimbabwe is still at its infant stage. Most of the things are decided at national level. If you look at the manner in which road projects are handled, one can see that it takes long to implement such projects as even the issues of tenders to prospective constructors are decided at national level.
“Payments are also done at national level meaning devolution is not at play at all. The local authority just oversee the progress but with little or no control over such projects,” said Nyamutamba.
The fact that devolution theoretically seeks to be a policy championing decentralisation as one of its core values sounds to be noble but the practical aspect cease to exist as bureaucracy takes centre stage as the very national-sub entities supposed to be taking control of implementing programmes, are denied the opportunity to do so.
There seem to be a deviation from the chorus of empowering the local people through enhanced participation in such programmes that affect their lives and at the end of the day, the whole essence of empowering the general citizenry is eclipsed after all. The transfer of local fiscal policy responsibilities and resources from central government to lower tiers ceases to exist.

….Zaka, Gutu and Masvingo RDCs refuse to release figures

Kimberly Kusauka

Access to information on public funds management, specifically the disbursed devolution funds has been critical, with six local authorities out of nine approached by TellZim News releasing clear breakdowns of how they utilised 2021 funds.
Bikita, Chivi, Chiredzi and Mwenezi Rural District Councils (RDCs) as well as Masvingo City and Chiredzi Town Councils made public the figures they received in 2021 and gave clear breakdowns of how they used the funds.
However, Gutu, Zaka and Masvingo RDCs declined to avail the information raising suspicion of likely underhand dealings and corruption after refusal to even disclose the amounts disbursed.
Chivi CEO Tariro Matavire cooperated and referred the reporter to Engineer Ronald Mashapa to answer all questions.
“Our engineer will send the information tomorrow,” said Matavire.
Chivi Council Engineer Ronald Mashapa gave the amount they received and projects earmarked as well as the balance as at December 31, 2021.
“We received ZW$49,450,000 for devolution and we constructed Bwanya clinic, classroom blocks at Nyahombe and Rubweruchena secondary schools and installed piped water scheme at Chombwe.
“We spent ZW$25,039,897 by December 2021 and we received another ZW$15,000,000 in December last year, so we had a high closing balance. We have more than ZW$23 million as our balance,” said Eng Mashapa.
Bikita CEO Peter Chibhi revealed all the information on their devolution expenditure.
“We received ZW$56,287,000 and utilized ZW$45,225,988.23 by December 2021. We completed Mupamaonde, Budzi and Chibvure clinics.
“We repaired Tafara secondary school block roof, sunk 25 boreholes, constructed classroom blocks at Musiya primary and Tamuka secondary schools.
“We constructed a semi-detached house at Manunure secondary school and procured a back whole loader, Grader and Tipper,” said Chibhi.
Masvingo city Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa divulged their devolution expenditure.
“We received ZW$97,846,720 for devolution disbursement and spent ZW$86,516,084.71 as at December 31, 2021.
“We worked on two projects, Mucheke Trunk sewer and Runyararo North West Clinic,” said Eng Mukaratirwa.
However, Runyararo clinic is yet to open its doors to the general public as the facility is yet to be furnished with the relevant equipment that will enable it to offer services.
Mwenezi CEO, Albert Chivanga gave the reporter information and explained in detail how they spent their devolution funds in the year 2021.
“We received ZW$59, 100, 000 and used ZW$48,815,955.14, as at December 31, we had a balance of ZW$10,284,440.86.
“We constructed one by two classroom blocks at Bubi, Mufula, Valley, Rushangarumwe and Turf Nyangambi primary schools. We constructed a structure at Petronella clinic and all these projects are now at roof level using 2021 disbursements,” said Chivanga.
He said they worked with Mushagashe Training Centre and other local people.
“We engaged Mushagashe Training centre trainees and local people. Mushagashe trainees did the brick work and we are only left with roofing and tiling, which we expect to be complete soon.
“The community benefited in that they were also trained. We are using the leaving no one behind notion,” said Chivanga.
Chiredzi Council CEO Ailes Baloyi took his time to go through their devolution expenditure as he revealed their projects and monetary values.
“In 2021, we received ZW$65,461,100 and we managed to spend ZW$48,731,613 by December. We focused on health, infrastructure, roads equipment, water and sanitation.
“We constructed clinics; Turkey Heart in ward 28, Gwaseche ward 7, Rusununguko ward 32 and Masivamele in ward 8. Of these four clinics two are 100 percent complete and the remaining will be completed during the first quarter of 2022,” said Baloyi.
On water and sanitation he said they drilled 28 boreholes across the district using their own rig.
“We drilled 28 boreholes and they are to be equipped this year with a minimum of 10 being equipped with solar or electricity powered system especially the ones at business centres,” said Baloyi.
He said they purchased a new motorized grader which awaits delivery.
Some local authorities were however not interested in divulging information.
Gutu RDC CEO Alexander Mutembwa did not give any information when the reporter contacted him.
“That’s social media journalism,” said Mutembwa.
Masvingo RDC CEO Martin Mubviro did not cooperate as usual and when the reporter sent him a message on WhatsApp, he replied with a single ‘okay’ on WhatsApp.
Zaka RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Majaura seemed agitated when the reporter called him.
“You can send your questions on WhatsApp,” said Majaura.
Two hours later when the reporter reminded him of the messages sent on his WhatsApp, he responded in a hostile manner.
“Not yet, I am busy at the moment. You are doing your work right so am I. So do not say you are being delayed (iwe uri kuita basa rako izvezvi handiti, iniwo ndinenge ndichiita basa, saka do not say you are delayed),” said Majaura.
With such high levels of information concealment, one wonders if ever the principle of devolution, its agenda to serve the interests of the population will be served and thus enhancing participation of communities will not be catered for hence exclusion reign supreme.

Fredrick Moyo

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) said the power subsidiary loses US$4 million annually in potential revenue through vandalism of transformers, theft of copper conductors, iron angles, illegal connections and corruption in the organisation.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held on February 04 2022 at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo, Head of Loss Control Festo Madembo said ZETDC is losing huge amounts of money due to various illegal activities as well as corruption.
“In 2020 we received a total number of 947 cases of stolen property which translated to the value of USD $ 4 390 000 and in 2021 we had 1 267 cases that were valued at USD $ 4 460 000, within two years ZETDC has lost infrastructure valued to USD $ 8.8 million which is a huge amount of money,” said Madembo.
“ZETDC is facing many challenges which include theft of transformers and iron angles, illegal connections and ramped corruption of ZETDC workers. Last year 281 transformers were manufactured and were supposed to be distributed to the community but the whole of last year ZETDC lost 288 transformers.
“We also have a challenge of theft of electricity whereby people are doing illegal connections, bypassing metres to use free electricity. Stealing copper conductors and iron angle bolts and nuts and corruption of ZETDC workers affecting service delivery,” added Madembo.
The power utility company has been struggling to generate enough electricity as there has been massive load shedding countrywide.

… As power utility launches Call Centre

Fredrick Moyo

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is expecting to launch a call centre by mid-2022 as part of efforts to improve service delivery.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting held on February 04 2022 at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo, ZETDC Acting Managing Director Engineer Howard Choga said they are setting up a call centre in Harare before mid-year like other organisations have done in order to improve service delivery in the country.
“We are setting up a contact centre in Harare. We would have a contact centre where by you call from across the country to the same place they will dispatch your problems to the people that resolve them.
“Before mid-year 2022, we would have launched this contact centre because all the hardware and software have all been commissioned and we are in the process of recruiting agents and people that will be manning the contact centre,” said Choga.
He also added that the call centre is meant to improve service delivery in the country and for the good of the customers as they can use many platforms to say the challenges they are facing or encountering.
“All these things are meant to ensure that service delivery for the best of our clients is improved and also through the same channel you can Email, WhatsApp, Web-chat, Facebook and many other social media platforms. This is the most important thing and we are going to use it to measure how we are performing, so once it happens it means that we would be able to focus on certain areas,” he added.
Speaking at the same event ZETDC Commercial Services Manager Engineer Gift Ndlovu said they have enhanced their credit control measures and are in the process of dispatching prepaid metres targeting that each and every house will have a prepaid metre by 2023.
“We have enhanced our credit control measures and we are running disconnection blitz to those who are not paid up. Clients should be paid up or on a payment plan and out team is out there disconnecting those who are not paid up and those who are not on payment plans.
“We also look forward that everyone should be on pre-paid platforms and we are installing pre-paid metres. We still have a long way to go but I am glad to let you know that 712 000 clients are now on pre-paid metres and we still have about 100 000 that are on fixed paid metres. We are working to make sure that by the end of year everyone would be on pre-paid metres,” he said.
ZETDC has been pleading with its clients to pay up their bills as this would improve service delivery.