ROSELINE MUTARE
BEITBRIDGE- The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) recently convened a stakeholders’ meeting to improve service delivery in the border town of Beitbridge.
The Local Public Finance Management (PFM) community interface meeting in Beitbridge, brought together municipality officials, health promotion officers, informal traders, and residents associations to discuss matters centred on service delivery.
Concerns were raised pertaining to health personnel high turnover crossing to South Africa for lucrative opportunities, which was impacting negatively on residents’ wellbeing, the municipality responded by assuring residents that the issue is being addressed as a matter of urgency.
Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Emmanuel Takutaku, revealed that health promotion officers would be inducted into the municipality system, with better remuneration levels to be announced after the 2026 municipality budget.
Cllr Takutaku told the meeting that the Town Clerk, Loud Ramakgapola has been mandated to initiate recruitment of staff where vacancies arise, without awaiting council resolution. Residents were also informed about the construction of a clinic in the Kumasoja area, designed to serve several local communities.
Councillor Shumba, Chair of the Housing and Social Amenities Committee, urged residents to utilize the town’s recycling plant to earn a living while at the same time protecting the environment. Plans for a 3-storey market at the bus terminus area were also underway.
Treasure of the Beitbridge Progressive Residents and Rate payers Development Trust (BPRRDT), Vhidziwani Mabule Mudau urged residents to make their voices heard at critical platforms such as budget consultations, saying this would assist in ensuring that there is collective ownership of resource allocation processes.
Residents and informal traders raised concerns about challenges in accessing documentation, affecting their ability to enjoy full citizen rights. VISET pledged to convene a multi-stakeholder indaba to address these issues.
Samuel Wadzai Mangoma, Executive Director of VISET thanked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) for their support, enabling VISET to address cross-cutting issues such as corruption and access to documentation.
The meeting highlighted the importance of community engagement in ensuring collective ownership of resource allocation processes. VISET will ensure active participation of its members and residents at the upcoming All Stakeholders Conference, where the first budget draft will be presented.
