adminHe said it was not proper for the people of Matabeleland to always blame President Mugabe for the challenges the region was facing when the local leadership had serious shortcomings.
Addressing hundreds of people at Mafutha Business Centre, outside Filabusi Centre where he officially launched the district Presidential Well-Wishers Special Agricultural Inputs Support Scheme, Sen Ndlovu said it was not fair for people to pile all the blame on President Mugabe for the challenges they were facing.
He said President Mugabe, who is also the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, was doing everything he could to foster development in the country, but was being let down by leaders at local level.
“When people complain of challenges they are facing in their communities, it is the duty of the local leadership, the councillors, the chiefs and the MPs to respond to the issues raised,” said Sen Ndlovu.
“People should throw stones at their local leaders and not at the President. These leaders should represent their people fully and inform the President when they need assistance at a higher level. As people, we should elect leaders who have insight, leaders who can deliver.”
Sen Ndlovu, who is the Senator for Insiza, recalled an incident in 1992 where he said President Mugabe met villagers in Stanmore in Gwanda District.
“When the President met the villagers, they complained that they did not have food. In his response President Mugabe called a local councillor and asked him to respond, saying he was not aware of the issue as he had not been briefed about it,” said Sen Ndlovu.
He challenged the local leadership to be with the people all the time and respond quickly to problems facing their communities.
Sen Ndlovu said local leaders were there to understand everyday challenges facing people and to motivate them to work hard to develop themselves.
He said it was shocking that veld fires were destroying the country’s eco-system yet local leaders were failing to track down the offenders.
In an interview after his address, Sen Ndlovu said urgent measures should be taken to expedite the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in order to solve the biting water shortages facing Bulawayo. “The water problems facing Bulawayo are as old as when the settlers came to colonise us during the time of King Lobengula. Now the situation has worsened because of increased water demand due to the ballooning urban population,” he said.
“The city’s supply dams are no longer able to meet the water demand. The only solution is the implementation of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project. More attention should be given to this project now. There is no need to rest because the situation is worsening.
“We understand funding has been availed for the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam within three years. That should be done quickly and then move on to piping. It is possible if the project is done in phases.”
Speaking at the launch of the inputs scheme, the Member of the House of Assembly for Insiza North, Cde Andrew Langa, described President Mugabe as an outstanding leader who, together with other distinguished heroes, championed the nationalist cause that culminated in the attainment of independence in 1980.
Online Reporter