Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – Local councillors last week demanded that Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) buy motorbikes for them because other rural district councils had already done so for their councillors.
The matter was heard recently during a full council meeting at council offices at Jerera growth point.
The issue arose after finance committee chairperson Cllr Chrispen Watadza gave a report on the look and learn tour he recently had in Marondera and Mhondoro Ngezi RDCs, highlighting that the two local authorities had bought motorcycles and cellphones for their councillors.
The Human Resources Management committee, however, said Zaka RDC could afford to buy only cellphones for councillors.
District Administrator (DA) Victor Zinanga concurred, warning that the highly indebted local authority could not afford to buy bikes for cash or credit.
Council chairperson Sebastian Musundire was also of the view that council would be better advised to buy only phones for the councillors as a cost cutting measure since the country was approaching election time at which other councillors might not return.
Most councillors, however, vehemently opposed the idea, arguing that those who will fail to win back their wards in the 2018 elections would still be required to settle the outstanding bill.
“Who told you that we are living office? Even if we leave, we will pay up all the money. I want a bike not a phone which I can get anywhere outside,” said Cllr Chikomo.
Cllr Angeline Chipote criticised council for what she said was a failure to respect and take good care of its councillors.
“Hamungati nguva yapera. Imwe council yakapa macouncillors ayo mamotor bikes last month and imi muri kuti nguva yapera, maimbovepi,” said Chipote to the applause of other councillors.
After heated deliberations, councillors grudgingly accepted the resolution that council purchase only cellphones for them.local
