Chief Seke fines Chitungwiza Council $1000 over Ma...

Chief Seke fines Chitungwiza Council $1000 over Magaya borehole

Philemon Jambaya

Chitungwiza Town Council, Manyame Rural District Council, and Prophet Walter Magaya's Wistmer Investments find themselves embroiled in a controversy after being slapped with a US$1000 fine by Chief Seke.

Their offence? Drilling a borehole without proper authorisation from the traditional leader.

The incident has sparked outrage among some council members, exposing a potential rift between bureaucratic procedure and respecting local traditions.

Reports indicate the aforementioned parties failed to acquire Chief Seke’s knowledge or consent before proceeding with the borehole project.

This blatant disregard for traditional protocol resulted in a hefty fine, raising questions about the decision-making process and communication channels within the councils and Wistmer Investments

Councilor Chamu Madya of Ward 11 became the voice of discontent during a recent council meeting. He sharply criticised the council's seemingly skewed priorities. While the US$1000 fine was promptly settled, seemingly essential purchases like furniture languish due to a lack of petty cash allocation.

Councillor Madya’s frustration is palpable. “You must take some things seriously,” he emphasised, highlighting the hypocrisy of readily available funds for fines but a bureaucratic roadblock for basic necessities.

The councillor further emphasised the importance of maintaining a professional image. He stressed that potential investors are unlikely to be impressed by threadbare furniture, and a lack of professionalism can hinder the flow of investment capital.