peterSharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council is engaging the local business community to donate an ambulance to beef the city’s fleet and improve health service delivery.
According to the minutes of the Public Works and Planning Committee meeting, the Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa was instructed to approach private companies like Tongaat Hullets and Bikita Minerals to source for donations of an ambulance.
“The committee raised concern on the shortage of functional ambulance in council.
It was suggested that part of the 2022 Devolution funds should be channelled towards procurement of a new ambulance to serve the community.
“The Town Clerk advised that council had already budgeted for the procurement of new ambulance in 2022.
It was suggested that council should approach the private sector to solicit for a donation of an ambulance.
The notable potential donors in the province were Tongaat Hullets, Renco Mine, Bikita Minerals and Mimosa Mine in the Midlands Province,” reads part of the minutes.
The committee blamed the breakdowns of the ambulance on the misuse of the municipal ambulances by staff running their private errands.
“Concern was also raised that municipal ambulances were always on breakdown partly due to misuse by the sections involved since 95 percent of the mileage recorded was not related to patients transfer, but other staff errands.
It was highlighted that ambulances should be parked at the fire station and used only for its purpose of carrying patients.”
Meanwhile, Eng Mukaratirwa was also tasked to approach the local businesses to help on the procurement of refuse compactors as the local authority is struggling to collect refuse due to the trucks breakdown.
According to the minutes of the the city fathers once hired a truck from the Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED) following the breakdown of its trucks.
“On the state of refuse collection trucks, the Chief Environmental Health Officer reported that the two trucks were operational and council has since stopped hiring the truck from the Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED).
Debate ensued on how best council could efficiently manage the refuse collection.
The committee raised concern on the rampant illegal dumping in the commonage by the residents.
It was agreed that ward councillors should educate the residents during ward feedback meetings to desist from illegal dumping,” read part of the minutes.
Online Reporter