Stands for war vets in Council

Talent Gore

HARARE Mayor, Jacob Mafume, says they will offer residential stands to war veterans who have been serving the Council in various departments since 1980.

He said this while conferring ranks to newly-promoted officers and dog handlers at a pass-out parade held at HMP Headquarters on Thursday.

The promotions saw officers being promoted to ranks of Superintendent, Chief Inspectors, Inspectors and sergeants.

Mafume said there are 132 war veterans who were still serving in various Council departments and some of them have no residential stands.

“About 132 war veterans have been working for about 42 years now but do not have a place to stay yet people younger than them have stands,” he said

“We are going to rectify that and make sure that those who served the country will get the stands.”

He acknowledged the presence of women in the force, some of whom were also promoted.

Mafume said Council was going to prioritise women, in the city’s recruitment process, in order to have gender parity.

He also addressed the issue of their budget.

“As we prepare the budget, we are advised of our allocation in terms of the intergovernmental fiscal transfers popularly known as the devolution funds,” he said.

“For the year 2022 we were allocated ZWL$2,3 billion and so far we have received ZWL$165 million which was predominantly for the Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) and Roads programmes.

“Our infrastructure has a backlog of over 20 years and this area is an investment opportunity.

“The private sector needs to invest in this City, we cannot depend on the rates account for infrastructure development.”