By Staff Reporter
Zaka District is breathing a sigh of relief as it welcomes a new District Development Coordinator (DDC) Gift Machukele.
Machukele who is not new to the district having served as assistant DDC to then substantive Tapson Chivanga before he was transferred to Chiredzi where he held the same post deputizing, was introduced to Zaka RDC during a full council meeting held on April 1.
The new DDC is expected to bring an end to the long-standing feud between the Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura and the Council Chairperson Fungai Maregedze.
The rivalry has been fingered as one of the major issues that were hindering development in the area, and locals especially councilors said they were hopeful that the new DDC will bring some much-needed stability.
The previous DDC, Memory Dhliwayo, was demoted after only eight months on the job due to allegations of failing to meet security clearance requirements and poor performance. Her tenure was also marred by controversy, including accusations of corruption and meddling in council operations.
The new DDC will have their work cut out for them, as they’ll need to navigate the complex web of relationships between the CEO, Majaura, and other stakeholders. However, with a fresh perspective and a commitment to development, there’s hope that Zaka District can finally start moving forward.
One councilor who chose to be anonymous told TellZim News that they hoped that Machukele would be able to keep the two in their lines for the development of the district.
“Machukele has been here so he knows what the district needs, we are confident that he will defuse the situation between the CEO and the Chair that his predecessor failed,” said the councilor.
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works carried out an investigation on Zaka RDC and established that there were no trio meetings between the DDC, CEO and Council Chair.
“There were no trio meetings where the CEO, DDC and Council Chair met. Those three should regularly meet to discuss the running of the district. The DDC speaking on government position, chair on council business and council CEO on implementation,” reads part of the report.
The investigation also established a rippling knowledge gap among district leaders which was identified as the major obstacle to development, with the ministry recommending urgent training and reorientation for councilors, management, chiefs, and the District Development Coordinator (DDC), as they lack understanding of their roles.
Another role of the DDC is to put the traditional leaders in council in their place as it was revealed that they did not know their roles in full council meetings.
A classic example was during the full council meeting held on April 1 where Chief Bota born Tafirenyika Bwazvo appeared in the council chambers visibly drunk and caused a scene interjecting the meeting and refused to leave when assistant DDC Victor Zinanga tried to intervene.
