Sundaymail Editor
Leroy Dzenga
Chitungwiza Town Council has drawn the ire of ratepayers after electing to host a four-day capacity-building workshop in Kwekwe at a time service delivery is at an all-time low.
On Twitter, netizens questioned the local authority’s rationale for the seemingly extravagant jaunt.
“Why not just have the meeting on Microsoft Teams or Zoom? Why spend money on fuel and accommodation when service delivery is non-existent?” asked one Gerald Munyoro.
Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST) expressed disquiet over the decision, saying previous capacity-building exercises have not yielded anything meaningful in the management of Harare’s dormitory town.
CHITREST director Alice Kuvheya criticised councillors and the administration for conniving to waste money.
However, Chitungwiza Town Council spokesperson Lovemore Meya said they sought clearance from the parent ministry for the workshop.
“It is a conducive environment (the Kwekwe venue), which is also spacious in terms of Covid-19 pandemic (protocols), and it also ensures officials and councillors will not be disturbed,” said Meya.
Responding to why they could not forgo the relatively expensive exercise and channel funds to service delivery, Meya said: “It is a training whereby councillors should be capacitated so that they discharge their duties diligently, and it has been long overdue.
“All local authorities do get approval from the parent Ministry (of Local Government and Public Works) for them to conduct workshops outside their area of jurisdiction and we have ours.”
Online Reporter