Chinhoyi residents walk out

Chinhoyi Bureau
Scores of Chinhoyi residents at the weekend walked out of a pre-budget meeting called by the municipality to discuss contents of a proposed US$14 million 2011 budget, saying council should first furnish them with last year’s financial reports.
This, they argued should provide the basis for any discussions on the forthcoming budget to ensure accountability.
Affirmative Action Group Mashonaland West chapter chairperson Mr Clifford Hlupeko set the tone when he said the meeting should be called off until council gave residents a breakdown of how much they collected last year and how it was used.
“At the end of the day it is does not show professionalism on your part as council to come and discuss with us how you are going to collect money from residents when you have not told us how you used the money you collected last year.
“We need to know where we are coming from,” he said.
Chinhoyi announced a US$24 million budget but only managed to raise a paltry US$3 million.
This also led to several clashes between the authority and its workers over salaries.
Councillors Tendai Musonza (Ward 1) and Divis Zinduru (Ward 11) called for the meeting on the proposed budget.
“It is important that we hold these meetings to gather your views on this year’s proposed budget.
“Stopping the meeting is not the solution but that we discuss the contents of the document so that we carry it forward to management,” said Cllr Musonza.
AAG secretary-general Mr Chamunorwa Chibondo said council should have an asset register which will be scrutinised at such meetings. Clr Musonza said they would take the residents’ concerns to management.
The residents also queried the number of people who attended the meeting saying it was too small to represent the interest of the entire town.