MARONDERA residents have raised concern over poor service delivery which was caused by the recall of six MDC Alliance councillors as well as Marondera Central MP Caston Mateu.
The residents believe the lack of representation at both ward and parliamentary levels is affecting service delivery.
The legislator and councillors were recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T after the Supreme Court ruled in March last year that MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa unprocedurally took over power.
More than 40 MPs and 164 councillors have been recalled countrywide.
Marondera Progressive Residents Association (MAPRA) chairperson Goldman Munjoma said decision making in the council is now one sided and lacks depth.
“Discussion is only limited to the four or so councillors left and that will have a negative bearing on service delivery,” he said.
“The decisions that the few councillors left may have a negative effect to other wards where there is no representation as they will tend to focus on their own wards for political mileage.”
Munjoma said pertinent issues on areas where councillors are recalled will not be addressed.
“Areas of concern in those wards will not be addressed as there is no one to put them on the table for them to be addressed,” he said.
“Few councillors who are left may not be able to come up with ideas and policies that are favourable to development as there will be less or no debate in their full council meetings.”
Marondera urban consists of 12 wards. The MDC Alliance had 11 out of 12 councillors before the recalls.
Residents of ward one, whose councillor used to be the recalled mayor Chengetai Murowa, said lack of representation is compromising service delivery.
“Our ward needs a representative. As residents, we cannot attend full council meetings to air our concerns. Service delivery is now poor due to lack of representation,” Murowa said.
He said residents have a right to be represented.
“We were elected by people so that we represent them. According to the constitution, residents need representation. That’s why they elect us as their representative,” he said.
Alfred Takaendesa, a resident of Dombotombo suburb, said the recalling of councillors and delays in replacing them have serious consequences for both council and residents.
“People pay rates to council and they expect service. If that does not happen, it means they stop doing so. These are clear consequences of not having representation in council,” he said.
Tendai Muchenje of ward two appealed to the government to ensure by-elections are held.
“We are now acting like headless chickens, we have no one to represent us. We are appealing to the government to speed up the process for the holding of by-elections,” he said.
“A councillor is a bridge through which residents can reach out to municipal officials. If he or she is missing, then there is not link between them and council. Moreover, the recalling of councillors brings along policy inconsistencies and fuels corruption.” — STAFF WRITER.
