Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Zanu PF councillors in the province have demanded that they be allowed to import duty free goods like vehicles as other civil servants in a bid to improve themselves ahead of the 2023 election campaigns.
The councillors were speaking during a question and answer session of an engagement workshop attended by councillors and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of local authorities for a newly formed councillors association named Councillors for Ensuring Development (C4ED)
The meeting was also attended by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira and C4ED national chairperson Rogers Tichaona Nhari.
The councillors said they felt being neglected and needed emancipation if they are to square it off with opposition councillors saying people will not listen to them if the look poorer.
Zaka Central ward 13 councillor Manfred Mada said they wanted to buy cars outside and be ahead of opposition candidates.
“On the issue of the councillors’ empowerment, we see other civil servants getting a chance to import goods like cars duty free. So we need the same privilege so that we can buy cars and be outstanding and seen ahead of CCC candidates,” said Mada.
Another councillor Aleta Makomeke of Masvingo district’s ward 5 said they are the foot soldiers towards the attainment of five million votes saying people see the goodness of Zanu PF through them.
“As councillors, we are the foot soldiers. People see the goodness of Zanu PF through us, our request is we are living in an inflationary environment so when you remember the MPs as we see in newspapers, please remember us because we swim in the same pool with them. We are at competition and people look at our dresses and shoes. We are the face of the party because we are at competition every day and if resources permit, empower us so that we are able to navigate the terrain,” she said.
In his response to the matter, Nhari promised councillors that the matter was being looked into and soon they could get help.
Councillor Benjamin Chikuni of Zaka’s ward 28 complained over the issue of voter registration and acquiring national Identity Documents saying the Registry department was asking too much questions thereby making it difficult for some people to get IDs.
“You have asked us to register at least two people a day and we can do that. However, for people to register they need IDs and some don’t have. The problem we are facing is that when we try to do that the registry people ask too many questions and make the process complicated and some fail to acquire the documents,” said Chikuni.
Nhari echoed the same sentiments and said those with 25 years and above are required to go through finger print processes which takes ages.
“On that issue minister, those who are 25 and above are required to go through police clearances that require finger prints. When the finger prints go to Harare, they take six weeks to return. So we are asking you to help us make only thirty minutes,” he said.
Chadzamira responded on the issue of IDs saying his office has been helping people on that regard and if anyone faces a problem they should notify his office.
“On the issue of IDs, those who approached us have been helped, so if you face any challenge approach your respective District Development Coordinators (DDCs) or District Coordinating Committee (DCCs) who will notify us and we reprimand those who are asking you too much questions,” said Chadzamira.
Councillors complained over the conduct of Agritex officers (Madhumeni) who are responsible for the distribution of inputs saying they were overshadowing them and demanded to be given power to distribute the inputs.
“My request is that, as we are looking at our target of five million votes, we need a chance to stamp authority and distribute the inputs with people seeing us doing the work with village heads and our party chairpersons as now we are just watching, helplessly,” said one councillor from Mwenezi.
Another councillor said the issue of war collaborators vetting is an axe that has been thrown to the councillors saying people were walking every day and they are just registered and go back home with nothing.
“The issue of war collaborators is an axe thrown to councillors in areas and is disturbing the Zanu PF cream by calling them every day and they travel in scotch-carts owing to their ages and they are simply registered and told to go home. As we speak there is war over that issue,” said another councillor.
The meeting was meant to conscientize councillors of their duties in the ward as well as encouraging them to mobilize for the party ahead of 2023 polls.
