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Manyame Park.
The stench worsens as you get to Chigovanyika Shopping Centre. Near the shopping centre, another phenomenon starts.
Motorists are forced to swerve to avoid potholes that have now been nicknamed “drumholes” because they have grown very big.
Drivers have to thank the heavens that we are in the dry season and they can avoid the potholes with less difficulty.
Women carrying 20-litre buckets line the streets ferrying water for domestic use as the area is always without water.
Every street corner has become a dumping site as the municipality seems to have forgotten it last collected refuse.
It’s a sorry sight for residents who have to endure seeing disused diapers, sanitary pads, rotting food leftovers and rumble cleared from construction sites.
The problems have persisted in Chitungwiza unabated that it has now become synonymous with the municipality.
As such, over the years residents have been forced to endure this pungent smell, erratic water supply and uncollected garbage on a daily basis while complains to the town authorities have fallen on deaf ears.
Even protests over poor service delivery have failed to yield positive results.
Adamantly, the council has entered into deals that do not benefit ratepayers but meant to enrich the few in managerial positions.
Recently, the municipality issued loans to senior management amounting to US$45 000 at the expense of the residents’ demands for improved services.
Beneficiaries of the loans include town clerk Mr Godfrey Tanyanyiwa, chamber secretary Omega Mugumbate, director of engineering Engineer Alfonse Tinofa, director housing Jemina Gumbo and acting finance director Mr Titus Mudzidzi.
Residents say, the municipality well known for parceling residential and commercial land for peanuts to councillors and management, is taking them for a ride should be reminded of their duty – provide service to the people.
Chairperson of Chitungwiza Residents Association Mr Wilson Makomba said it was unfortunate that council was opting to give top management loans when the workers are still owed millions of dollars in unpaid wages.
He said it was cruel that the management was giving itself massive perks while the service delivery system is in shambles.
“As an association we have sought audience with the council since 2008 over the establishment of infill stands and they have not come back to us.
“We feel the council is taking us for ride and needs to be reminded their mandate. Money collected from rates should be used to improve service delivery in the municipality and not to enrich a few individuals in managerial positions.
“What do they need that money for when recently they acquired luxury cars. Why is it important they get money as loans when the council is struggling to secure enough water from Harare and improving the road network?
“Is this not ironic that the city fathers can advance themselves loans when they can not raise money to pay for the release of council property attached for failing to service loans,” he said.
Mrs Tariro Shirichena of St Marys said it is such misdirected policies that show that the town council does not value the wishes of residents and its workers.
They also felt the town council was failing to do justice to the rates it was charging residents and they would be forced to consider boycotting paying service fees until a time the town start delivering a service.
“We are tired of this management that has seen the council reduce the town to a shadow of its former self.
“Roads are littered with potholes, running water is erratic while collection of garbage has never been consistent but the management wants to be given perks for such a shoddy job.
“Our councillors have neglected us as they have joined the gravy train. As such we cannot expect them to whip management into line as they have swallowed the hook, line and sinker. They are using their time in council to enrich themselves.
“We therefore are appealing to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development to exert pressure on the management and ensure that it prioritises service delivery,” she said.
Raw sewage led to multiple diarrhoea outbreaks including the 2008-9 cholera outbreak that claimed thousands in the town.
The council that is also notorious with corruption has seen a number of mayors being fired for illegal land deals and abuse of council property.
Councillors and management voted to allow infills in the town suburbs leading to areas meant as breathing spaces and for recreation being turn into residential areas.
Another resident of Seke Unit L Ms Salome Matiza said council was on a looting spree.
“We are aware that the two main political parties are battling for Chitungwiza and efforts to seek redress have been misconstrued as political.
“Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo should move in to restore order,” Mrs Matiza said.
She said plans to rebuild lost image that saw top management going to a retreat in Kariba were meaningless.
Despite the luxuries being provided for the council officials, authority is battling to pay its workers with salary areas running into millions of dollars.
A beneficiary of the Nyatsime Housing Scheme, that has gone for over three without meaningful development, said Chitungwiza was eager to make money and not improve on service delivery.
“I feel the project was a money-spinning venture meant to raise money to pay workers during the harsh economic era.
“When we acquired these stands we were told that we would commence construction by end of 2008 but until now positions continue to change like weather.
The municipality has since asked us to top up the payments in US dollars – because the money was eroded by inflation – when we know that the money was used to settle council debts and pay worker during that period.
“Other phases in projects have been introduced, with people paying in US dollars but still there is nothing going on.
“This clearly shows that the council is not taking residents seriously and needs to be reminded of its duty.”
Experts in land development said it would be very difficult for the town to address service delivery as it has let the situation to slide back this much.
“With such a work ethic where do Chitungwiza Town Council think they will get serious investors to partner it in development of residential stands.
“It is risk for any financier when he is aware that the finance administration system municipality’s leaks like a sieve.”
He said the financially hamstrung institution needed to clean itself of this face of corruption and starts owning up to its promises before they can think of courting investors.
Online Reporter