Muguti warns Chitungwiza councillors

Audrey Galawu

Acting Permanent Secretary for Harare Metropolitan, Tafadzwa Muguti has warned Chitungwiza Municipality of unlawful and biased policies.

Muguti castigated the council for dishing out graveyards among themselves last year.

“There’s a policy you did last year, where you gave each other graves. Stop It. Free graves are applied for to the Ministry of State through Social Welfare. We have been doing this since 1980.

“Through social welfare, we know who is poor in our community. But what you did last year where the councillor was the one responsible for identifying the poor people and decided who to dish out the graves to.

“You thought I did not know that some of you were selling the graves for US$500.

“I’m emphasising this because we had a lot of problems over the last five years and I’m encouraging those who are coming in to do better.

“If you fail, there are consequences. There are some who use my name like last year. If there is anything, the mayor knows my door is open for any conversation,” he said.

He also encouraged councillors to be accountable.

He said the council should produce audited reports.

“As councillors you have the right to know how the finances of Chitungwiza are running.

“We cannot continue to go year in, year out with management accounts. From audited accounts, you then know if your accounts are balanced. If anything goes wrong and the accounts don't balance, it's on you as the council,” Muguti stated.

He further encouraged the newly-elected councillors to take heed of the dictates of the Urban Councils Act which they should refer as the bible guiding their operations.

“Local authorities Zimbabwe, Chitungwiza Municipality included, play an important role in promoting sound local governance, undertaking and coordinating urban development to enhance the socio economic development of Zimbabwe.

“Section 274(1) of the Constitution provides for management of the affairs of the people in urban areas. Under this section, details and modalities in urban management are articulated, including the roles of councillors, this includes how elected councillors by registered voters should operate, and in principle they need to advance the objectives of people.

“Let me emphasise the importance of advancing the aspirations of the people who entrusted you with these high offices.

“His excellency, the President of Zimbabwe has emphasized that leaders shout not continue with the ‘Shef’ mentality, but to be led by the people, that is putting service delivery first,” he added.