Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI– The outgoing Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Alderman Gibson Hwende, who lost in Chiredzi Central Constituency is reportedly lobbying newly elected councilors to resolve that he gets the Toyota GD6 single cab vehicle that he was using, as consolation like what his predecessor, Francis Moyo did in 2018.
Alderman Hwende whose hopes of getting to Mt Hampden was cut short by his deputy, Ropafadzo Makumire, is allegedly trying to convince newly elected councilors, especially from the opposition to pass a resolution that allows him to keep the vehicle he has been using as council Chairman.
He seem to be forgetting that when he was sworn into Office in 2018, he said he had no interest in having a vehicle as Chairman after Moyo’s departure with the vehicle having raised public concerns, and pleaded with council to buy him a bicycle for his itineraries around the local authority’s jurisdiction which however did not come to pass after he was given a vehicle two years after taking oath.
Contacted for comment, Hwende, indicated that there was a circular from the Minister of Local Government that allowed the local authority to make a resolution for all the Chairpersons and Mayors across the country to get vehicles.
“It is in the conditions of service that I should exit with that vehicle which the minister approved through a circular. I am yet to get mine like what other Chairpersons and Mayors have done across the country.
“I am still weighing options whether I should take the offer or not but procedurally I am supposed to get that vehicle,” said Hwende.
One of the councilors who refused to be named said Hwende is dearly in need of the vehicle and was trying to influence them to pass that resolution.
“He is trying his best to influence us to pass that resolution which unfortunately will not go the way he thinks it will because he failed to convince the last council,” said the councilor.
When asked for comment, Makumire who was Vice Chairperson said the circular existed but they refused to pass the resolution saying it was going to cripple the local authority.
”That circular from the Minister existed but as councilors we refused to pass a resolution which is a requirement for him to get that vehicle because we felt that it will affect service provision as council would need to channel money for the purchase of another vehicle,” said Makumire.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) Chairperson Jonathan Muusha, said Hwende was not supposed to get the vehicle like what Moyo did.
“As residents, we don’t agree that the vehicle that was bought with proceeds from land sale be given to the outgoing chairperson. CTC has no vehicles and it would cost residents that every five years they need buy a new vehicle for the Chairman.
“The circular from the ministry is clear, when council sees it fit, so as it stands our council is constrained,” said Muusha.
United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) Advocacy officer, Constance Chikumbo also shared the same view with Muusha and indicated that they don’t want to face another ‘Frango saga’.
“It’s not possible. We are not having another Frango incident again,” she said.
Gibson Hwende who was recently conferred the alderman status served as ward one councilor for a decade before deciding to run for the constituency post before he was disqualified by CCC in the primaries before contesting as independent and garnered 676 votes while the preferred candidate Makumire got 12 342 and Francis Moyo getting 7 832 votes.
