Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube
THE Bulawayo City Council is providing daily subsistence allowances to a delegation of 21 council officials and councillors who are undertaking a three-day visit to South Africa. The purpose of the visit is a fact-finding mission to Johannesburg Water, focusing on water utilities.
The controversial trip saw the delegation flying to Johannesburg on Friday, and they are expected back in Bulawayo today (Monday). Despite earlier sentiments that the entire trip was fully funded by the Veolia Environment Institute (VEI), it has since emerged that the local authority’s partners are only catering for transport and accommodation, while the council has to cover daily subsistence allowances for both council officials and the councillors.
Posting on X, the city’s mayor, Councillor David Coltart, assured residents that ratepayers’ money would not be used for the trip.
“A formal statement will be issued in due course. However, I expressed my own concern from the start, and the matter is being reviewed. One thing I should, however, state is that the tab is not being picked up by ratepayers. The costs of this will be picked up by our Dutch partner VEI. But please be assured that I am personally conscious of concerns around this trip and will do all in my power to make sure that it is done in the best interests of residents.
The opportunity itself to inspect how other authorities operate is not bad; it is just how it is done which is the issue,” wrote Councillor Coltart.
However, a council confidential report has revealed that the local authority will be picking up the bill for the daily subsistence allowance.
“Additionally, based on the City of Johannesburg’s experience, the delegates will be acquainted with the requisite steps to be followed in order to successfully formulate a water utility. Transport costs will be borne by VEI, whereas the daily subsistence allowance will be catered for by council,” reads the report.
According to the report, the list of councillors and top management officials who have travelled includes the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, Councillor Royini Sekete (chairperson of the environmental management and engineering services committee), Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo (chairperson of the health, housing and education committee), Councillor Dumisani Netha (chairperson of the town lands and planning committee), Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu (chairperson of the future water supplies and water action committee), and Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu (chairperson of the business and investment committee).
Also included are the chairperson of the audit committee, Councillor Aleck Ndlovu, Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu (chairperson of the subcommittee on the allocation of stands and premises), Councillor Metelia Matunha (a member of the future water supplies and water action), and Councillor Ashton Mhlanga, a member of the town lands and planning committee.
From council management, the delegation includes the town clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou (chamber secretary), Mr Tennyson Mpunzi (finance director), Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube (director of water and sanitation), Mr Makhosi Tshalebwa (human capital director), Engineer Kwanele Sibanda (acting assistant director of water and sanitation), Thandekile Ngwenya (legal officer), Qiniso Ndlovu (finance manager), Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya (corporate communications officer), Mr Maxwell Sibanda (principal human capital officer), and Mr Themba Khanye (senior administrative officer).
BCC has proposed the formation of a Private Limited Corporate Organisation aimed at unlocking external financing opportunities, with US$17 million earmarked to upgrade the city’s water infrastructure. The initiative seeks to tackle long-standing infrastructure challenges and is expected to benefit from the technical expertise and resources of partners such as the VEI. The proposed utility would function as a specialised, professionally managed entity wholly owned by the City of Bulawayo to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
However, the water utility has faced stiff resistance, with public consultations showing that a majority of residents oppose the proposed creation of a new water utility authority for Bulawayo.
