Vusumuzi Dube
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
TENDY Three Investments (TTI) officials and senior management from the City of Bulawayo on Wednesday sought to hijack a tour organised by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, aiming to arrange an impromptu meeting with councillors to address concerns regarding Bulawayo’s parking management contract.
The tour was a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and
National Housing fact-finding visit to access the water situation in the city.
On Wednesday the committee together with the city’s councillors, inclusive of top management- were set to tour the Lake Gwayi Shangani project.
Curiously, while the portfolio committee opted to be booked at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo and drive by bus to the project on Wednesday morning, driving back on Wednesday evening after the tour Bulawayo councillors and top management were booked at the exclusive Hwange Safari Lodge on Tuesday, checking out on Thursday morning.
According to council sources, straight after checking in at Hwange Safari Lodge, at 1035pm councillors were informed of the purported presentation by TTI which was scheduled for 8am the following morning, before councillors departed to the Gwayi Shangani project site.
Councillors who spoke to this publication revealed that they were informed that TTI managing director, Mr Lizwe Mabuza had flown from his South African base to Victoria Falls and then drove to the councillors’ base in anticipation of the said ‘presentation’.
“We felt this was not proper, clearly there is something that TTI and council management is trying to cover up. Of late we have been questioning the issue of disbursement of money towards roads rehabilitation and there is a likelihood that they are plotting a cover-up.
“It has never happened that such an impromptu meeting be scheduled because councillors have to be notified before to enable us to research. In this case our week itinerary stated we had this water engagement and nothing else,” said the councillor.
According to the councillor, most councillors resisted the push by both CoB management and TTI officials but the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu was insisting that councillors allow the TTI officials to make their presentation.
“What was mind boggling is that while councillors were requesting the agenda of this said presentation, the Deputy Mayor was saying councillors should come for breakfast, claiming that there is a policy that council issues should not be shared on WhatsApp,” said the councillor.
Sunday News gleaned the messages in the councillors and management WhatsApp group, names Councillors noticeboard.
“Good evening Councillors. Please be advised that there will be a TTI presentation tomorrow morning 25/09/2024 at 8:00 am. Hwange Safari Lodge. All Councillors advised to attend,” reads a message that was sent at 135pm.
Ward 24 councillor Cde Tavengwa Zidya, is the only one who commented a few minutes after the message was posted, writing; “But liyadelela shame (You people are so disrespectful)’
The following morning other councillors also questioned the motive of the impromptu presentation when they had come for a different programme.
“Right now our minds are full of water, water, utility, utility, Nyamandlovu Aquifer, Gwayi Shangani, Then TTI now at 8am,” wrote Bulawayo Proportional Representative Councillor Perseverance Nyathi.
Councillors in the group questioned what the rush to make the presentation was all about of which Clr Ndlovu requested councillors to come to the restaurant to get an explanation.
“Fellow councillors let’s come to the restaurant and we shall get an explanation. Not on app policy makers,” said the Deputy Mayor.
This was met by several messages, questioning the Deputy Mayor’s decision and accusing him of forcing a non-existent policy on them.
“Hilter policy,” wrote one councillor.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube confirmed that they had scheduled the meeting with TTI before the tour of Gwayi-Shangani.
He however noted that this had been agreed during a meeting of the Finance committee last Monday after noting that councillors were going to be booked at the Hwange Safari Lodge for two nights hence there would be an opportunity for council to also fit in some pending council business.
“Councillors went for the Gwayi-Shangani tour on Tuesday night and came back on Thursday, which is why the finance committee on Monday decided that since there were pending issues like the TTI presentation on their operations, we be able to fit it in there to be able to justify this two day trip.
“What then happened is that I mobilised TTI and the council steering committee to prepare their presentation, however, my officers did not act promptly and informed the councillors late. I informed the councillors of the justification to have the presentation, some understood but there was a group of councillors that did not understand,” said Mr Dube.
He revealed that they attempted to go ahead with the presentation but after some councillors continued to interject they were forced to cancel it.
“My question now is what was the reasoning behind booking the councillors at the hotel for two nights? Since the Gwayi-Shangani tour had concluded, they could have returned to Bulawayo right away.
“They must tell us and the public whether it was merry-making or a business trip. As we had planned it, the presentation would have been between 8am and 11am then we go for the tour, after which we return to continue with these pressing issues. As it stands the presentation will now be held at a later date,” said the Town Clerk.
Online Reporter