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Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HWANGE residents have petitioned Parliament to finalise the incorporation of wards eight to 15 located in concession areas in the Hwange Local Board (HLB) administrative jurisdiction as calls for attainment of municipal status intensify.
HLB and three companies Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) are running the coal-mining town of Hwange. Wards Eight to 15 fall under concession areas of HCCL, NRZ and ZPC while wards One to Seven are run by HLB. The three companies provide accommodation to their employees and social amenities such as clinics, sewer and water management services.
However, the companies have been struggling to maintain and provide services to residents under their concession leading to deplorable state of affairs. According to the petition lodged on 12 March 2019 to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Hwange Residents Association wants Parliament to expedite the execution of the amalgamation of the quasi-authorities into one administrative entity. The petition in part read:
“Acknowledging that Section 265 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for local governance based on democratic principles, transparency, accountability and institutional cohesion. Disturbed by the local governance for Hwange, which does not incorporate the general populace as part of the stakeholders for the locality. Concerned that the dominance of the local corporates — Hwange Colliery Company Limited, National Railways of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Power Company has sustained a local governance system that excludes the general populace from governance issues. Now therefore the petitioners beseech the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its constitutional role and address the following issues of public concern;
“Review the policy that subjects Hwange local area to administration and governance by corporate and enquire into the operational modalities of the current governance matrix for Hwange with a view to making the necessary policy recommended to the Executive.”
Residents expressed anger during a public meeting organised by HRA at delays in the implementation of the recommendations of the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to ensure that the running of the affairs in the mining town are amalgamated. HRA co-ordinator, Mr Fidelis Chima said the failure by those involved to finalise the incorporation of Hwange Town prompted them to approach Parliament.
“We have also petitioned Parliament so that the two arms of the Government intervene to address the exclusion of the concession area from the governance of the country. What is happening is against the Constitution that there are councillors who are unable to exercise jurisdiction over their wards,” said Mr Chima.
According to HLB chairperson, Clr Nqobile Mabhena the expansion and development of Hwange was being hampered by lack of commitment among involved authorities in incorporating the said areas.
“Government resources and funding such as Zinara funding for roads, funding for water and sewer provision does not get to the eight wards, hence you still find the majority of houses in Numbers 1,2,3,5 and Cinderella with communal toilets. Water supply and sewer management in NRZ and the other areas is deplorable. The area under the colliery does not attract investment as investors are sceptical about investing in a mine set up,” he said.
The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing in 2016 wrote the HLB approving the inclusion of wards eight to 15 into the administrative boundary of HLB. In response to the letter, the councillors convened a special meeting the same year to deliberate on the approval and attend to a request to make an application for municipal status.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo