adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
PLUMTREE Town Council has rejected a petition by residents to have newly proposed by-laws dropped after revelations that members of the Plumtree Residents’ Association committee misinterpreted the laws to residents.
The association recently submitted a petition signed by residents in which they described the by-laws as harsh and extreme.
In a newspaper advert, the local authority announced the introduction of three new laws, the protection of land and natural resources, dog licensing and control and licensed premises by-laws.
Following the introduction of the by-laws the association committee members are reported to have held meetings in different wards. They allegedly misinterpreted the contents of the three laws to the residents in a bid to spark resistance.
Council chairperson, Paulos Hobane, alleged the association told residents that they were expected to pay an additional rent to council, residents were not supposed to sweep outside their yards or cut grass which is outside their yards and churches had to stop worshipping within the town.
He said residents were also told that keeping more than two dogs was an offence.
Explaining the new by-laws, he said: “Residents are expected to notify the council before developing land and churches have to approach the authorities if they want worshipping space while people have to keep dogs enclosed or on leashes.”
He said the by-laws were introduced to comply with a circular from the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatious Chombo.
Hobane said the circular encouraged local authorities to enforce regulatory laws especially towards controlling spread of diseases.
He said there was an outcry over the spread of rabies within towns as a result of bites by infected stray dogs.
Hobane said councillors had to hold meetings in their wards along with members of the association where they would properly explain the provisions of each by-law.
In a meeting with the committee members on Thursday, Plumtree Town Council Secretary, Davis Dumezweni Luthe said the by-laws were fair and in line with the Urban Councils Act.
He said contrary to allegations from members of the residents’ association, the council had followed the correct procedure in coming up with the by-laws.
“The petition which you submitted states that residents are disputing the by-laws because they were approved by the Minister of Local Government without the input of residents but in fact he has not approved them,” said Luthe.
He explained that council had placed an advert in the Chronicle notifying residents of the new by-laws which were said to be available at the local authority’s offices.
He added:
“Residents had been invited to make their contributions.”
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