By Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – The Minister of Local Government and National Housing Winston Chitando is said to have cracked whip on Chief Nhema, born Rangarirai Bwawanda and Zaka District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Dhliwayo warning them against interfering with the day-to-day running of council business amid reports that the duo, together with other councilors were involving themselves too much in council operations.
Addressing local authorities in Masvingo province at Benjamin Burombo Building recently, Chitando warned chiefs, DDCs, and councilors to stop forthwith, interfering with council day-to-day operations, a message which sources said was aimed at Chief Nhema and Zaka DDC Dhliwayo who are said to be meddling in Zaka RDC management operations.
Recently, Chief Nhema was reported to have clashed with one of the councilors who had questioned the presence of the Chief’s wife Portia Gwese in one of the committee meetings when she was not a member of that committee. Chief Nhema is said to have threatened the councilor in question saying he must shut his mouth since the allowances paid by the council for attending meetings were not from his pocket.
Contacted for comment by TellZim News, Chitando was diplomatic about the issue as he said the objective was to make chiefs, DDCs, and councilors aware of their roles so that they don’t interfere with management operations.
“The exercise is meant to make councilors, chiefs and DDCs aware of their roles. Councilors are policymakers who are part-time while council management is full-time employees of the local authority, whilst chiefs and DDCs attend council meetings as ex officio members. It was, therefore, important to remind them of their respective roles. This exercise is a country-wide exercise to interface and increase communication to improve service provision,” said Chitando.
However, it raised eyebrows and suspicion that Zaka RDC was on the agenda as it was the only one whose councilors (all) were invited for the meeting with Chitando, with other local authorities – Gutu, Bikita, Chiredzi, Chivi, Masvingo and Mwenezi requested to send only representatives.
Zaka RDC has been having issues since August last year following the appointment of Zanu PF Zaka DCC chairperson Clemence Chiduwa’s wife Fungayi and Chief Nhema’s wife Gwese as councilors through the women quota system.
Zaka RDC CEO David Batsirai Majaura, as always, dodged responding to the questions when contacted for comment by TellZim as he said was in a meeting the whole day.
Majaura often says he is in a meeting when contacted for comments on issues relating to Gwese and Maregedze, which is probably a sign that he fears them or is aware of the consequences if he ever dares to comment about issues involving these two councilors.
If not, what kind of meetings will Majaura probably be attending which take 12 hours without taking a break?
However, sources who attended the meeting with Chitando are optimistic that the minister’s chilling warning is likely to see Chief Nhema and the troublesome councilors retreating in their shells and allow the management to do its work uninterrupted.
“Chitando curtailed Chief Nhema and Madam Dhliwayo though they were not present at the meeting, he spoke point blank that they’re not supposed to interfere with council operations but stand as advisors on issues relating to their fields,” said the source.
“The minister also cracked the whip on some councilors especially the Finance Chair and Council Chair who were interfering in management operations. I am sure this will bring sanity to the council,” added the source.
Other sources said Majaura had to write to the Ministry of Local Government after the council chair and finance chair requested to be signatories.
Chief Nhema recently clashed with another councilor whom he was accusing of questioning why his wife was attending another committee meeting saying the allowances were not coming from his pocket so he shouldn’t ask.
Following the clash, Zanu PF provincial disciplinary committee heard the matter and warned against such behavior saying they put the party into disrepute.
