Courage Dutiro
Masvingo City Council received three new fire tenders bought through use of the government’s ‘command’ Belarus fire tender deal on November 29.
The deal was that, government was going to procure fire tenders on behalf of all local authorities utilizing the 2022 Devolution fund allocations.
Even though a number of local authorities tried to resist, the deal sailed.
Newly elected Masvingo City Mayor Alec Tabe said the new service delivery vehicles were going to assist residents and those in transit using the highways in case of accidents.
“We have been experiencing challenges whenever a fire breaks out but these three fire trucks are going to improve our service delivery.
“We are going to strategically position them so that we are able to attend fire scenes in areas around Masvingo Urban or accident scenes along the highways in time,” said Tabe.
Masvingo City Council had only two fire trucks before the government of Zimbabwe chipped in with the ‘command’ Belarus fire tender deal.
According to Masvingo City Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting minutes of July 19, 2022, the local authority turned down the deal noting that fire tenders were not a priority to the Municipality during that period.
“The 2022 Devolution fund allocation was ZWL$253 107 300 and council was being advised to reprioritize the Devolution Funds to accommodate the cost of the fire tenders.
“The committee counter proposed that the government should consider procuring two refuse trucks, a tipper truck, grader and an ambulance for the city using the devolution funds in place of the fire tenders as they were not a priority for the city,” read part of the minutes.
The minutes also indicated that the City of Masvingo was to get only two fire tenders at a cost of USD464 396 each.
In Masvingo province, the deal was not only turned down by Masvingo City Council but by several other municipalities including Zaka Rural District Council however it all fell on government’s deaf ears.
Former Masvingo City mayor Collen Maboke then said the fire engines were good service delivery apparatus but the government should consult before it pokes its nose on local authorities’ businesses.
“I wish if the central government could consult with local authorities whenever they want to interfere with council businesses.
“I appreciate the fire engines are good however the local authorities were not consulted. Proper procedures were not followed but the vehicles are nice,” said Maboke.
