The rebirth of Rusape

Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
RUSAPE Town Council – which for the past years has been in the doldrums – has riden out of the turbulent and challenging storm to relentlessly focus on acquisition of capital equipment to support and improve service delivery.

The urban council, for the past decade ranked as the worst, has transformed into a shining example and now ranks as one of the service delivery-conscious councils.

Since its takeover by new management, RTC resiliently withstood significant financial pressures that at one point saw their equipment being attached to settle salary arrears – and last week took delivery of a state-of-the-art 12-tonner refuse compactor that is set to enhance refuse collection throughout the town.

The dumper truck was purchased for $125 000.

The council has also purchased a 10 000-litre fire tender from China for $90 000.

The fire dousing and refuse collection equipment – has been on the lips of many residents given frequent outbreaks of fire in the town and its recent ranking as one of the dirtiest urban settlements in the country.

The fire tender is already in transit. Both transactions were approved by the State Procurement Board.

Rusape Town secretary Mr Joshua Maligwa confirmed the purchases, adding that the refuse compactor had the capacity to collect refuse throughout the town before disposal.

“It will improve efficiency and quality of service.

“The acquisition of the equipment is also a giant step in our quest to attain municipality status.

“We are going to decommission the dump site in the Grade Section and create another dump site in-between Rocking Stone Farm and Tsanzaguru,” said Mr Maligwa.

The council is constructing a proper and environmentally compliant dumping site.

The council has been dumping litter at undesignated points which posed a health risk by creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. The temporary dumping site, which at one point saw it at loggerheads with residents who stay a stone throw away from it, was in violation of Statutory Instrument 6 of 2007, which demands that local authorities come up with proper dumping sites away from residential areas.

“We have created another one about 10km outside the town. All along our hands had been tied.

“We were hamstrung by mobility challenges as our fleet of tractors was old and could not travel to the new site. The challenge is now a thing of the past and we are working with the Environmental Management Agency over a compliant land fill 10km outside the town,” explained Mr Maligwa, adding that efforts to rehabilitate that dump site in Vengere by planting exotic trees and turn the whole area into a green belt were already underway.

“We will then roll out strict refuse collection timetables across the town which we hope residents will comply with to keep out town clean,” said Mr Maligwa.

Rusape resident, Mr Mike Kazembe, hailed the initiative by the local authority saying it was proof that work was being done.

“We are happy with their relentless focus on delivery of commitments they have made to residents.

“There is proof of long-term strategic thinking around how services are commissioned and delivered, and the infrastructure needed to support their delivery.

“The onus is now on the residents to continue paying their rates so that council fulfils its mandate,” said Mr Kazembe.

Rusape Residents and Ratepayers Association chairman, Mr Martin Chaburumunda, said the current management had a clear strategic direction to achieve its objectives.

He said strategic management practices were key for RTC since they are used to determine where the council is going over the next year or more and how it is going to get there.

“The comprehensive reforms at RTC are aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services.

“For as long as they put our money to better use, we will commend them.

“Local authorities are charged with the responsibility of providing services such as health, primary education, refuse collection, water, sanitation and fire protection among others, and we are happy that they are doing their best to meet the expectations of residents,” said Mr Chaburumunda.