…local authority prioritizing less important initiatives at service delivery’s expense
Emmanuel Chitsika
Masvingo City Council has been struggling on a number of fronts in terms of effectively fulfilling its mandate of service delivery failing on both liquid and solid waste management, as well as erratic water supplies but the same local authority is on a drive to fund some activities which do not directly benefit residents and ratepayers.
The City Fathers have once again been caught ‘hand-in-jar’ as they divert the few resources they claim to have in their coffers towards events and functions that do not serve the interests of the rate payers.
Minutes availed in the recent full council meeting held on May 30, 2022 revealed a number of programs that the local authority has prioritized though they are operating with a depleted fleet of vehicles with only two functional refuse compactors, broken down fleet of ambulances and the ever broken down Rujeko pump station which has gone for six months without functioning leading to water pollution in Shagashe River a tributary of the city’s sole supplier of water Lake Mutirikwi.
Some of the initiatives seem to propagate political mileage in form of funding other ministries’ activities despite the fact that most government departments owe council huge sums of money in debts.
Donation of ZW$ 305 600 lunch for interactive meeting
Council recently donated the equivalent of US$ 992 at interbank rate towards lunch during an interactive meeting hosted by Masvingo Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira on May 13 at Flamboyant hotel.
“The report of the Acting Town Clerk on the ratification of a donation made to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for hosting an interactive meeting on May 13 at regency hotel Flamboyant at a cost of ZW$ 305 600. The payment was ratified.
“A suggestion was made to make provision for workshops from the devolution budget up front to avoid using funds from another vote. That the payment of ZW $ 305 600 to hotel regency Flamboyant for an interactive workshop hosted by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution on 13 May 2022 be ratified,” read the council minutes.
With the principle of devolution calling for the involvement of ordinary citizens in determining priorities towards which devolution funds are channeled, one would wonder if such meetings had the blessings of the rate payers.
Quite a number of projects that require funding among them poor, pot hole ridden roads, water works and reticulation system repairs lying idle while the local authority splash such amount for lunch.
Donating towards Masvingo Investment Opportunities documentary (ZW$ 65 000)
Again council is caught off-guard after resolving to offer $65 000 to the same ministry as above for financing the production of a documentary on investment opportunities in Masvingo. The full council minutes revealed that in a meeting held on May 16, council resolved to fund the project.
“Consideration was given to the report of the acting Finance Director on the request by the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for donations towards the production of Masvingo Investment Opportunities documentary. The acting Finance Director recommended that council makes a donation of ZW $65 000 to Masvingo Province State Occasions Committee drawn from the 2022 Sundry Donations vote towards the production of the documentary which also promote investment in Masvingo City and the province at large,” read the minutes.
Subscription for Chambuta children’s home DSTV decoder
Another US$ 200 was directed towards paying a DSTV subscription fee for First Lady’s Chambuta Children’s home. The issue was reflected in the council minutes. They had initially opted for an Openview decoder which doesn’t require subscription but later on said the beneficiaries need exposure to national broadcaster ZBC TV as the channel is missing on Openview.
“The committee however noted the need for council to consider coming up with an income generation project for the children’s home such that they may afford paying their own television subscriptions. Council had initially approved the procurement of an Openview decoder but it was realized that the ZBC TV channel was not hosted on Openview.
“It was reported that council then procured a DSTV decoder such that the children may have access to ZBC television channel. The purchase was ratified,” read the minutes.
Medical Aid cover for former Town Clerks and spouses
MCC also resolved to review the medical aid schemes for former Town Clerks as their conditions were not commensurate with those of the incumbent.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Town Clerk on the request to include spouses of two former Town Clerks on council’s full medical aid cover. It was reported that the current conditions for the Town Clerk provided for 100 percent medical aid cover for the TC and spouse when in service and on retirement. The previous conditions of service only provided for 100 percent cover for Town Clerk only excluding the spouse,” read part of the minutes.
Service delivery is in dire situation with the two functional refuse compactors failing to meet the demand of the city and in most cases those two vehicles are down due to overloading as said by the council’s engineering department.
In response to the issue of a depleted fleet for refuse collection, Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukratirwa said council do not have funds to purchase compactors and were in a position to approach well-wishers in form of corporates like Bikita Minerals, Tongaat Hulett and Renco Mine though such efforts doubtfully would bear fruit.
“We had intentions to purchase even more than three refuse compactors but our cash flows are constrained. We had initially budgeted for two vehicles with the first meant for the first quarter of the year and the second during the second quarter as well but the determinant factor is finance. Otherwise, if we had enough funds, we would purchase them.
“Communications were done with Mimosa, Tongaat Hulett and Bikita Minerals through their public relations sections though they are yet to have responses. As for Bikita Minerals, the last time we communicated with them they were talking about changes in management and thus there could be no breakthrough. We will have to approach Tongaat Hulett when I go for my assignment there in Chiredzi,” said Mukraatirwa.
