Kimberly Kusauka
Masvingo city council has reiterated that council always maintains an ‘open door’ policy to every stakeholder interested in attending full council meetings.
Responding to questions on why some key stakeholders like the District Development Coordinator (DDC), Environmental Management Agency (EMA) among others are not attending full council meetings on January 31 at Town House, Masvingo Mayor Councilor Collen Maboke said the Urban Council Act is clear and everyone is welcome.
Mayor Maboke said that all stakeholders are free to attend full council meetings as they do not give any formal communication regarding the attendance.
“The act is very clear on who is supposed to attend the full council meeting, it is supposed to be attended by councilors, and members of the public. So whoever is eager to know what will be happening in full council meetings is welcome.
“We cannot move around telling stakeholders to attend. If I may ask who invited you when you (press) to come?,” said Maboke.
Contacted for comment Masvingo DDC Roy Hove said he had been attending full council meetings ever since but he was not aware of the first full council held on January 31, 2022 though he had not been attending even in 2021.
“I have been attending full council meetings. As of yesterday, I heard there was a committee not a full council meeting.
“I always send analysts who have been attending those meetings,” said Hove.
Some observers have questioned lack of attendance to full council meetings by other stakeholders who are an integral part in implementing developmental projects, which sometimes puts in jeopardy council resolutions.
