Costain Shamu
Stung by persistent resistance by residents not honouring their outstanding bills, Chiredzi town council’s finance committee is proposing to convert the outstanding amounts into USD, as a way of cushioning it’s coffers from the galloping inflation of the local currency.
The Finance Committee had proposed to implement the move by 30 June, but the proposal was shot down by other Councillors, who suggested that the public be informed before implementation. The proposal was then referred back to the committee, to come up with an all Stakeholders meeting date.
This was discussed during the 27th ordinary full council meeting held at the Town house on Thursday.
The Finance committee chairperson Rogers Chikonye proposed to the house that the move is meant to preserve value of their income against the hyper inflating economy that is in turn affecting service delivery.
Chikonye suggested that the current inflation crisis affects the budget performance as it favours the debtors.
“Lenders suffers while borrowers gain” said Chikonye.
He went on to notify the house that before the implementation, there will be an adequate notice of 14 days to residents.
It was a bad day for the August house yesterday, as the meeting was nearly aborted due to lack of a quorum. It took almost 30 minutes to fill the required quorum.
According to the Urban Council’s Act, a full council meeting can only proceed when a third of the total number of councillors, plus one, are present. Narrowed down to this town, at least four councillors must be in attendance.
Acting town chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire, Ward 6 councillor Musingashari Musingashari and Ward 7 councillor Rogers Chikonye (all CCC) had to endure the long wait in the chilly atmosphere in the August house, before commencing the meeting.
Out of the absent councillors, only Ward 5 Councillor Blessing Mazinyani gave an apology, while Town Chairperson and ward 1 Councillor Gibson Hwende who has not been attending the meetings as he is recovering from an accident he had at the Trade Fair in Bulawayo two months ago was excused.
Ward 4 councillor, Liberty Macharaga came in after 28 minutes, while Ward 2 councillor Obert Ngwenya arrived 45 minutes late, only to give an apology for being late.
Ward 8 councillor Josphaat Nzombe went AWOL.
Councillors are solely responsible for representing their residents in drafting of town policies.
