adminconference held in Mutare recently. Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo announced the cancellation of the AGM.
“There is no UCAZ meeting. I have cancelled the meeting. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
UCAZ president and Masvingo mayor Clr Femias Chakabuda yesterday insisted the conference would go ahead because Government had not notified UCAZ of the cancellation. Clr Chakabuda said he was on his way to Victoria Falls.
“I am on my way to Victoria Falls. The meeting is on,” he said.
Last week Clr Chakabuda said there was no basis for cancelling the conference because UCAZ had not received any communication from Government directing as such.
“We have not been advised of the cancellation. We invited the Minister and asked him to invite the Prime Minister. We do not think he would behave like that,” he said.
Clr Chakabuda said the conference was heavily supported by the private sector. Secretary for Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Mr Killian Mpingo confirmed Minister Chombo’s position.
“We told them the position of the Ministry. We told them it was imprudent to have another meeting soon after the Zilga conference held in Mutare. We do not know what they are trying to do by proceeding with the conference when we gave them our position,” he said.
Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda agreed the meeting was a waste of funds in view of the impending harmonised polls which are expected to usher in new leadership for the urban councils.
Online Reporter