An estimated 2 595 councillors from the country’s 92 urban
and rural councils travelled to Harare on Monday and received allowances for
hotels before meeting Mnangagwa on Tuesday. The councillors got accommodation
again on Tuesday after the meeting ended at 2pm and it was deemed late for
travel to different parts of the country.
Councillors are paid US$90 bed, US$22.50 breakfast, US$30
lunch, US$37.30 dinner and US$30 supplementary per day bringing the total to
US$209.8. Assuming that all councillors including those from Harare were paid
the allowances, it means the local authorities paid US$1,088 million.
This amount excludes transport for the councilors which is
another significant chunk of the cost.
Zimbabwe Local Government Association (Zilga) which brings
together all councils in the country organised the indaba with Mnangagwa. Zilga
chairperson Aaron Golden Shamu said confirmed the allowances paid to councilors
but he did not know the total amount spent.
Association of Rural District Councils (ARDC), Secretary
General Isaac Matsilele also confirmed the payments.
The indaba was called to thank Mnangagwa for launching the
Blue Print Call to Action No Compromise to Service Delivery and to seek
guidance and expectations from the Presidium.
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Permanent
Secretary John Bhasera could not be reached for a comment by the time of going
to Press.
“Councils handled logistics for the councillors. The
Ministry chipped in in meeting other expenses as the venue. The indaba is a
brainchild of ARDC,” he said.
The Ministry’s Spatial Planning and Development Department
Chief Director, Shingirirai Mushamba told a recent workshop held in Masvingo
that the situation is dire for local authorities as they are failing to pay
lead planners. Masvingo Mirror
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