Councillors are arguing over the criteria used to bestow
such honour, which they say was not clear.
Southern Eye understands that Council managers proposed to
give Mnangagwa the honour during a full council meeting on Wednesday.
The issue was also included in the minutes of the
deliberations, although the minutes did not explain the reasons why the
President must be given the honour.
“We have item 123 which points to giving President
Mnangagwa the freedom of the city of Gweru,” the city mayor Hamutendi Kombayi,
who was chairing the meeting, said.
Councillor Edison Kurebgaseka (ward 9) said there was
nothing wrong in granting Mnangagwa the status, adding that the honour would
come with some benefits.
“We should set politics aside, and l think there is nothing
amiss in granting President Mnangagwa the honour. After all, Mnangagwa is from
the Midlands province and we could, as a council benefit in some service
delivery issues affecting us including roads and water challenges,” Kurebgaseka
said.
But councillor Josiah Makombe disagreed, saying the issue
needed to be deliberated on in council chambers to ensure there is clarity on
why Mnangagwa should be bestowed that honour.
“We can’t just rush to adopt the proposal. There is need
for a special meeting to discuss this issue. It’s just a recommendation coming
from management and it’s not clear,” he said.
Makombe’s sentiments were seconded by councillors Trust
Chinene (ward 15) and Tawanda Magidi (ward 16).
The proposal attracted heated debate among councillors, who
then failed to agree on the way
forward.
In 2020 when Victoria Falls was declared a city, Mnangagwa
was awarded freedom of the city with the local authority saying it was
recognising his contribution to the resort town’s transformation.
Newsday
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