adminFelex Share Senior Reporter
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere read the riot act to mayors and chief executives of local authorities yesterday, saying all corrupt activities should come to an end and focus should be on service delivery.
Minister Kasukuwere also warned the local authorities’ leaders to stop using the name of Zanu-PF in their shoddy deals.
“If you are corrupt there is no mercy on you and do not think Kasukuwere will stand with you,” he said at his inaugural meeting with council officials from all over the country held in Harare following his appointment last week.
“It is not our business to take land and use it wrongly because it makes you rich at an individual level. That is being unfair to our people. They might be powerless, but they are people who expect you to do much more for them. Let us not take advantage of the weak, but rather give them hope.”
As such, Cde Kasukuwere said, he would next week begin nationwide tours to get an appreciation of the situation on the ground with regards to the operation of local authorities.
He said he was not coming to fight with local authorities, but to cooperate with them in the best interest of the people.
“You have been in the game longer than I,” Cde Kasukuwere said. “I don’t have all the answers to the challenges our people are facing, but together we will find those answers and achieve our objectives,” he said.
On illegal vending, Minister Kasukuwere said as much as the informal sector had to be supported, there should be order, with vendors operating from designated places.
Cde Kasukuwere also added that suspended Harare City Council Town Clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi would know his fate next week.
“I am yet to receive a briefing from the mayor (Mr Bernard Manyenyeni),” he said. “He is out of the country. We will sit down with the mayor and understand the circumstances surrounding the case.”
Dr Mahachi was two weeks ago sent on a forced leave for allegedly stalling the city’s succession plan and rationalisation of executive salaries.
He has continued reporting for duty in defiance of the forced leave.
Online Reporter