THE ministry of Local Government has deployed a four-member investigating team to the Marondera Municipality after residents raised concern over corruption and poor service delivery.
This comes at a time service delivery in the Mashonaland East capital is deteriorating.
The Environment Management Agency recently dragged Marondera Municipality to court over emissions of raw sewer into Rufaro Dam, the city’s supplier of water.
Residents have been accusing council of releasing 150 hectares of land to a local company in exchange for motor vehicles and other equipment without proper consultations.
In addition, council officials were also allegedly parceling out commercial stands among themselves.
The investigations were triggered by a letter from Marondera Residents’ Open Forum (MAROF) addressed to Mashonaland East minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Applonia Munzverengi, Marondera district development coordinator Mr Clemence Masawi and Marondera mayor Simbarashe Nyahuye.
The letter was written on 24 May.
“The council is not picking up refuse from most areas and there is no clear plan on regular and recurring services in this regard,” reads part of the letter.
“Several complaints have been raised over the conduct of the refuse workers, in particular their erratic and at times nuisance times that they suddenly pop up without giving residents a chance to prepare their garbage and cart it out on the kerbside.
“Street lighting in the wards is very poor and in some areas it is no longer working and there are no visible attempts to attend to the problems, resulting in muggings and poor safety for residents.”
MAROF raised concern over poor sewer drainage system, saying it poses serious health hazards to residents.
“Residents have also advised that your plumbers are not reacting timeously to blockages and at times ignore or refuse to log in reports,” reads the letter.
MAROF director Tapiwa Chengeta said residents are unhappy with poor service delivery.
“As Marondera Residents Open Forum we remain saddened by the poor delivery of service in areas that have perennially gone for years without water.
“Areas like Morningside, Rusike and Ruware have continued to be sidelined despite several assurances from the council,” said Chengeta.
“We also decry the electricity lights that remain unattended despite residents paying rates. Residents have paid rates and by council’s own admission more than 70% have paid and our expectation is for council to own its obligation.”
Chengeta said section 77 of the constitution of Zimbawe is very clear on the responsibility of local authorities to provide not only clean water but also essential services.— STAFF WRITER
