adminThe other splinter group is reportedly calling itself Gokwe Combined Residents’ Association (GCRA).
In separate interviews, Gokwe residents said council was now taking advantage of the infighting within the residents to shelve its service delivery obligations.
They said some councillors, who were under pressure to improve services in their respective wards, were behind the split of the residents’ association.
“It seems the town fathers are enjoying the infighting within the residents’ association and right now nothing is being done by the council, as our representatives are busy fighting for posts,” said Mr George Hova, from Sesame Suburb.
Mr Hova said the former chairperson of the Gokwe Residents’ Association, Mr Trynos Tazviwana has since formed a new association, the Gokwe Combined Residents’ Association (GCRA) while the former treasurer, Mr Saul Mamvura assumed the chairmanship of GRA.
“All these associations are no longer representing us, as they go around trying to discredit one another. Our interests as residents are no longer being served, as the local authority itself is also confused as to who represents the people of Gokwe now,” he said.
Ms Tendai Chirikure, a vendor in the Gokwe Central Business District said garbage was now piling in the CBD with no one taking the complaints to the town house.
“We do not know who to tell our challenges because our association has split. Right now garbage is piling in the CBD and our town fathers are doing nothing to address the situation,” she said.
Mr Tazviwana confirmed the split of the association.
He said his GCRA was the legitimate association, as it included all political parties.
“Our association incorporates all political parties in Gokwe because in the past there were complaints from councillors, who have been saying our association was made up of Zanu-PF party members only. We then incorporated people from other parties and formed GCRA,” he said.
Mr Mamvura on the other hand dismissed Mr Tazviwana’s allegations saying his association was not recognised.
“The councillors indicated that the residents’ association should not be built on party basis. Mr Tazviwana and his team are politicians and they should stop masquerading as representatives of the residents of Gokwe. They should leave us to represent the people while they (Tazviwana and company) engage in their politics,” he said.
Online Reporter