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Sydney Kawadza Mash West Bureau Chief
The commission appointed to run the affairs of Chegutu Municipality has said it will use its time in charge to improve the image of the predominantly agricultural town.
In an interview, the commission chairperson Mr Vengai Musengi said the town had been run-down to the extent that water-borne diseases had become an annual occurrence.
He said they would also push organisations that have bought land for residential purposes to expedite their developments and enhance revenue for the municipality.
The commission, said Mr Musengi, would also bring sanity to the town, where vendors had virtually taken over the streets.
“Firstly, we will quickly deal with the vendors that have become such a nightmare in the town,” he said. “These should move to designated vending sites and free the streets for their intended purposes.”
Mr Musengi will be assisted by Mr Tendai Chasauka and Chegutu district administrator Mr Tariro Tomu to run the affairs of the municipality.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo has appointed commissions to run local authorities until the swearing-in of the recently-elected councillors.
The councillors would be sworn in after the President’s inauguration.
The appointments were announced through a circular sent to each council last month.
According to Section 143 of the Constitution as read with Section 158 of the Rural Districts Councils Act (Chapter 29:13) and Section 80 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), local authorities are presided over by commissions prior to the swearing-in of new councillors.
These commissions are expected to preside over the local authorities on an interim basis until new councils are sworn in.
The commissions will not engage in land or stands allocations, not enter into agreements involving joint ventures, not employ new staff, not deal with tenders and not engage in acquisition and or disposal of council property.
Mr Musengi said such corporate entities as Zimplats, which have a number of residential stands should make sure these are serviced.
“Zimplats has 1 400 stands at the Forit Phase 4, but have not yet serviced the area, but we have an agreement with them to construct roads and that is what we expect them to do,” he said.
“We also need to look at the situation at the two schools owned by council where there was a high turnover of teachers because they were not being paid.
“Parents are failing to pay fees and this has also affected classes at the schools, but as the commission we want to bring back normalcy at these schools.”
Mr Musengi said council’s engineering department had been challenged to change the water reticulation pipes in Chegutu.
The town has over the years been affected by Cholera, with four people dying from the disease early this year.
“We understand our appointment is for a short period of time, but we aim to make a huge impact and turn the tables at the Chegutu Municipality,” said Mr Musengi.
“As a commission, we want to leave a clean town where rubbish is collected while all the vendors are moved to designate vending areas.”
Mr Musengi said they will provide clean water for residents.
Online Reporter