Councillors To Receive One-Time Stand Allocation At 40% Discount

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has authorised councillors who do not have houses within their respective wards to be allocated a single residential stand, once in their lifetime, within that ward, to build a personal residence.

The minister’s position was communicated in a letter read out by town clerk Wilton Mhanda during a full council meeting in Epworth on Friday, 1 August.

The residential stand may be sold to the councillor at a discounted rate of 40 percent below market value. The letter reads:

The stand is to be offered to the councilor on a lease with option to purchase, with payments being made in equal monthly instalments and completed before the end of the term of the office of the councillor.

Title may not be issued until the development of the home is complete. The councilor may not sell the stand or cede the leases in his or her term of office.

The cost of servicing the stand shall be paid in full.

Mhanda stressed that councillors should understand the offer of a residential stand is a privilege, not an entitlement, and is extended in the spirit of enabling them to live in a dignified manner. Reads the letter:

The stand acquired in terms of this circular is not for profit aggrandisement. A councillor is not entitled by right to a commercial stand or an industrial stand.

Any councillor who wishes to acquire such a stand is required to follow normal council procedure and needs to meet all requirements set down.

Mhanda said the Minister has also approved that councillors wishing to benefit may be granted free parking and a free grave during their term of office.

He also said the Minister has directed that no exit packages are to be paid to any councillor at the end of their term.

The letter also stipulates that if a local authority intends to purchase electronic devices such as mobile phones or tablets for councillors, this may only be done with prior ministerial approval.

Any such application to the Minister must include a clear justification for the purchase, details of the relevant budget line and allocated amount, the type of equipment to be procured, associated costs, and any conditions attached to its use.

The letter further states that electronic equipment should be accompanied by a monthly data facility, the terms of which are to be determined by the respective council.

More: The Herald

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