Kwekwe residents object budget

Midlands Correspondent
KWEKWE residents have rejected the proposed $31 million budget citing lack of inclusiveness during the budget consultation process and lack of transparency in the use of funds by the local authority among other issues. The local authority is alleged to have clandestinely consulted eight people in each ward, which the residents felt was not a proportional representation.

In a letter addressed to the town clerk, Mr Ngwena Musara, and copied to Midlands Provincial Administrator Ms Cecelia Chitiyo, Midlands Minister of State, Cde Jason Machaya, and signed by 31 stakeholders, the residents expressed displeasure in the goings-on as well as the manner in which the local authority was being managed.

“We are pleased to submit our response and objections to the 2015 draft budget. However, please note that we are not happy with the consultation process that was carried and the confusion which the City of Kwekwe caused through the attached notices that appeared in the Midlands Observer.

“Our interpretation is that the City Council orchestrated the confusion in order to limit the submission of objections which is totally unacceptable in a democratic setting where consultations are key to seeking residents’ buy-in,” reads part of the letter signed by Kwekwe Residents Association secretary general, Mr Alex Homela. The residents said there was lack of inclusiveness in the budget consultation process.

“The budget consultation process was pregnant with irregularities that include the head count that we conducted shows that only 114 people attended and participated in the consultative meeting in the whole city.

“We understand that the City Council withheld information about the specific details of the budget, which made it difficult, if not impossible for residents, ratepayers and stakeholders to contribute from an informed position. No documents or handouts were issued to residents,” reads the letter.

The residents also complained of exorbitant water tariffs, the local authority’s extravagance and lack of transparency in the use of council funds.
“Water tariffs pegged by the city council are unjustified. We were currently paying $0,25 in high density and $ 0,51 in low density and these have been increased to $0,42 and $0,80 respectively.

“Commerce and industry tariffs have been increased to $0,96 from $0,60. A reflection on the Zimbabwean inflation rate confirms that the increments are totally unjustified.

“The implication of the exorbitant increments is that the residents, ratepayers and stakeholders will fail to pay since they are already failing to pay at the current rates as shown by the list of debtors in the proposed budget.

“Many luxurious items have been budgeted for and these include the Town Clerk’s Toyota Prado valued at $120 000 and 4×4 double cabs for heads of departments,” reads the list of objections.