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Pamela Shumba and Walter Mswazie: Chronicle Reporters
BULAWAYO and Masvingo residents have called for a refinement of the Local Government Laws Amendment Bill. Bulawayo residents made their input to the proposed Bill yesterday during a hearing conducted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing at Nkulumane Hall.
The Bill, which is before parliament, seeks to align the Rural District Councils Act and the Urban Councils Act to the Constitution.
The Local Government committee’s meeting in Bulawayo was attended by residents, representatives of pressure groups, Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Gift Banda and councillors.
Residents accused the organisers of the hearing of deliberately choosing a small venue that couldn’t accommodate all residents in a bid to deny them a chance to speak.
A resident, Felix Mafa, said the executive was not being sensitive by bringing issues to do with disciplinary processes for discussion yet the process of devolution should take precedence.
“We know that Minister Kasukuwere has lost twice in court to the Mayor of Gweru and Harare. He is therefore using his powers to come through the back door so that he has grip.
“Fortunately we’re empowered by the constitution and we refuse to accept this Bill. Central Government has to cede some responsibilities to the lower structures through devolution. There’s a perception that other regions are marginalised,” said Mafa.
Alfred Ncube of the Centre for Public Engagement said the Bill must not be allowed to pass as it would set a wrong precedent that in Zimbabwe the Constitution can be violated.
“In our view, the Bill does not warrant to be supported as it violates the spirit and letter of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and standard procedures on transparency and good governance,” said Ncube.
In Masvingo on Tuesday, residents there also said they were opposed to the Bill and it must be revised.
Speaking during the parliamentary committee’s hearing at Mucheke Hall, residents said the Bill does not give local authorities autonomy.
Masvingo Resident Trust (MRT) coordinator Prosper Tiringindi said: “We cannot have our councillors or mayors fired from their work without due process of a hearing being taken by council. This Bill should correct that and not to repeat or accentuate something which is flawed already. As Masvingo residents, we say no to the Amendment Bill.”
Masvingo Zimrights secretary for advocacy Entrance Takaedza called on the Ministry not to make piecemeal amendments.
“Let not the Constitution be a preserve of a few people. Let us not make piecemeal amendments which will make the whole constitution that we spent much time crafting lose its original taste,” said Takaedza.
Online Reporter