BRILLIANT MUKARO
MASVINGO RURAL-Masvingo Rural District Council residents have raised a red flag over the way devolution funds are being used by the local authority.
The residents were speaking at a Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) transparency and accountability workshop held at Nemanwa Primary School recently.
ZCC Masvingo provincial coordinator, Tawanda Mafuta chaired the meeting and residents complained that they are failing to understand how devolution funds are being used.
Topical was the issue of a classroom block at Chirichoga Primary School in ward 20 which residents claimed was a community project which was hijacked by Council and were later told that it was built by devolution funds after one block was completed.
They said children are attending lessons while seated on the ground as the school has no chairs, benches and desks.
Contacted for a comment Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer, Martin Mubviro said issues pertaining to transparency and accountability are secondary to him as what is important is that the block was built.
He said those who wish to understand about the matter must visit the council offices for clarification.
He said people are ignorant about how councils operate and there is nothing bad if council takes over a community project and use devolution funds as all projects are initiated by the local authority.
“We are happy that the blocks have been completed, whether it was devolution funds or not is another issue. All projects are initiated by council and I do not understand when you say council hijacked a community project. I think people are ignorant of how we operate, visit our offices and get a manual on our operations,” said Mubviro.
The residents also complained of a poor road network in ward 20 and 12 especially during the rainy season.
Some of the attendants complained that schools are demanding more levies besides the agreed fees and this affects mainly children on Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) who cannot afford to pay.
He however encouraged the residents to participate fully in civic programmes like full council and budget consultation meetings as they are legitimate platforms that allow constructive discussions between residents and office bearers.
He said the 3 year programme which is being coordinated by ZCC under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) is funded by the European Union.
The project which is in Gutu, Bikita, Chiredzi and Masvingo districts aims to improve civic participation, transparency and accountability in devolution processes.
He urged residents to actively participate in community meetings and make sure their voices are heard instead of letting a few people decide for the whole community.
“This programme aims at improving civic participation, transparency and accountability. As residents you must make sure your voices are heard and you must stop letting few people make decisions for you,” said Mafuta.
