The council basically admitted that it should have flighted the advert, but judgement was reserved. The council said its coffers were dry and it was too expensive to advertise in the papers.
“But we are saying, it is a matter of priorities. The idea of good cooperation is where council officials come to public meetings and hear the grievances of ratepayers and map the way forward,” said James.
Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (MRRT) Director, Bishop Sebastian Bakare said the council should desist from the “there is no money” mantra and become transparent in its financial management system.
“The council cannot continue saying there is no money every day. If you don’t have money please show us the little that you have in your coffers.
Are the council accounts books audited? Council should know that they are not talking to children. Saying there is no money without showing us figures shows us that council is not serious,” said Bakare.
He said there was need for council to engage in Private Public Partnership (PPP) if Mutare was to regain its lost status as “Jewel of the East”. “Without a formidable partnership with residents associations and other stakeholders the council will not single-handedly overcome the challenges bedevilling the city,” he added.
Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) Coordinator, David Mutambirwa said there was need for legislative reforms of draconian laws such as Access to Information Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and Public Order Security Act (POSA,) which suppress the community from effectively participating in developmental needs.
“Politicisation of the local governance system by Minister Chombo, whom I call mayor of all towns in the country, has affected service delivery. Elected councillors cannot exercise their mandate as enshrined in the constitution because of full time crooks in the management who are taking advantage of some councillors who are not well versed in the area of local governance to enrich themselves,” said Mutambirwa.
