Merchant Services Manager (Harare)

Library Technical Assistant

Assistant Binder

Broadcast Technician

Research, Innovation and Industry Linkage Officer (RIILO)

Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) Officer

Procurement Officer

Intellectual Property Management Officer

Research Officers x2

Business Development Officers x2

Innovation Lead (Engineering)

Innovation Lead (Arts & Creative Industries)

Innovation Manager

Public Health Specialist: Prevention, Care & Treatment (Harare)

Driver (Kariba)

Relief Drivers x8

Business Intelligence Analyst (Harare)

Contact Centre Agent-1 (Harare)

Switchboard Operator (OMAO) (Harare)

Procurement Manager (Bulawayo)

Auditor - ICT & Internal Control (Harare)

Legal Officer (Harare)

Auditor (Harare)

Director General (Harare)

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) in Zimbabwe has passed a resolution stating that residents and businesses must pay 80 percent of their rates in foreign currency. The council argues that many service providers are demanding payment in foreign currency, leading them to implement this policy, <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/bulawayo-city-council-demands-80-percent-of-rates-in-forex/">The Sunday News</a> reports. As a result, residents will only be required to pay 20 percent of their bills in the local currency.
The Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, confirmed the decision and stated that it was necessary to ensure effective service provision. He explained that if a resident is billed, for example, US$100, they must pay US$80 in foreign currency and the remaining US$20 in local currency at the day’s bank exchange rate. Mr Dube cited Statutory 142 of 2019, which allows for the use of multiple currencies, including the United States dollar, as legal tender. He said:
<blockquote>
It is a clear directive, if a resident is billed US$100 they must come with US$80 in hard currency and the US$20 will be the one that will be paid in local currency using the day’s bank rate. This move was necessitated by the fact that all our service providers are demanding 100 percent forex or 80 percent forex to those that still take local currency. The decision has already come into effect as councillors have passed the motion. This is all necessitated by the fact that we also need to provide effective services to our residents and that is the only way we can remain afloat.
</blockquote>
However, this decision has faced criticism and raised concerns among residents. Many believe that it will exacerbate financial strain, particularly for those who have difficulties accessing foreign currency. The Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) chairperson, Mr Winos Dube, expressed shock and accused the council of disregarding the needs of the poor, turning themselves into an elitist group. The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) secretary for administration, Mr Thembelani Dube, called for government intervention, stating that the resolution goes against the country’s laws and the multi-currency system.
The move by the BCC has created a divide between the council and residents, with calls for government intervention to address the situation. Residents argue that the multi-currency system should be respected, allowing them to pay their bills using any currency based on the auction rate. The resolution is seen by some as an overreach by the council, causing further hardship for the people of Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe adopted a multicurrency regime in 2009 due to hyperinflation. In late 2023, the government announced that this regime would continue until at least 2030. However, most government workers are paid in Zimbabwe dollars. If they are required to pay bills in foreign currency, they may lose money because foreign currency is scarce and sold at a higher rate on the streets. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Bulawayo Council Resolves That 80% Of Rates Must Be Paid In Foreign Currency

Bulawayo councillors, including former Education Minister David Coltart of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were sworn in during a ceremony at Bulawayo City Hall on September 6, 2023. David Coltart is expected to become the new mayor, with Dumisani Nkomo as his deputy.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-263322" decoding="async" height="450" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/councillors-4.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/councillors-4.jpg 1000w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/councillors-4-300x135.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/councillors-4-768x346.jpg 768w" width="1000"/> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-263323" decoding="async" height="750" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillors-2.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillors-2.jpg 1000w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillors-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillors-2-768x576.jpg 768w" width="1000"/> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-263324" decoding="async" height="454" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1008px) 100vw, 1008px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillor-1.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillor-1.jpg 1008w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillor-1-300x135.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Councillor-1-768x346.jpg 768w" width="1008"/>
The swearing-in ceremony of the 29 Councillors in Bulawayo was led by Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube and Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou. The opposition party CCC won all seats in the city’s 29 wards. The councillors’ names and affiliations are as follows:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ward 1: SHEPHERED SITHOLE (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 2: ADRIAN MOYO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 3: MXOLISI MHLANGA (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 4: DAVID COLTART (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 5: OCTAVIOUS DUMISANI NKOMO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 6: NKOSINATHI MPOFU (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 7: THANDIWE MOYO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 8: EDWIN NDLOVU (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 9: MABUTHO DONALDSON (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 10: KHALIZANI NDLOVU (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 11: SUSAN SITHOLE (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 12: MUZIWABO MASUKU (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 13: LOVEMORE MWINDE (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 14: DUMISANI NETHA (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 15: ASHTON MHLANGA (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 16: GREATER GUMEDE (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 17: SIKHULULEKILE MOYO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 18: TAKUNDA MADZANA (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 19: MUPANDWE LAWRENCE (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 20: SIMBARASHE DUBE (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 21: TINEVIMBO MAPHOSA (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 22: THOBEKA MOYO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 23: INTOMBIZODWA KHUMALO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 24: ARNOLD BATIRAI (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 25: ALECK NDLOVU (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 26: IMPUMELELO MOYO (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 27: LIZZY SIBANDA (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 28: INTANDOYENKOSI NDLOVU (CCC)</li>
<li>Ward 29: ROYINI SEKETE (CCC)</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Sarah Cronje</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Mellisa Mabeza</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Metelliah Matunha</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Tabeth Mhizha</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Lezina Mohammed</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Perseverance Nyathi</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Dorcas Sibanda</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Nokuthula Sibanda</li>
<li>Proportional Representation – Councillor Zibusiso Tshongwe</li>
</ul>
This is happening as the CCC party has taken a stand against the outcome of the 23-24 August harmonised elections, claiming they lacked fairness, freedom, and credibility. Consequently, the party, led by Nelson Chamisa, has demanded fresh elections.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

PICTURES: Bulawayo's All CCC Council Sworn In At City Hall

Bulawayo City Council has appointed Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube as the local government authority’s substantive Director of Engineering Services. Ncube takes over from the late Eng Smile Dube who passed on in  2021 from an undisclosed ailment.
Mayor Councillor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Solomon_Mguni">Solomon Mguni</a> has hailed the appointment which is with effect from 1 April. Cllr Mguni wrote on his Facebook page:
<blockquote>
Deserved appointment. Congratulations; City Engineer. Hands-on the deck.
</blockquote>
Eng Ncube attained his first degree in Civil and Water Engineering from 1998 to 2003 and his second degree in an Executive Master of Business Administration from 2009 to 2011 from the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/NUST">National University of Science and Technology (Nust)</a>, the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bulawayo-mayor-hails-eng-ncube-appointment/">Chronicle</a> reports.
His profile from the local authority states that he began his professional career as Student Engineer with Stewarts and Llyods – Bulawayo Office in 2002.
He then joined the Zimbabwe National Water Authority after his graduation where he worked as a Projects and Planning Engineer, and Water Supplies Engineer (2004 – 2006).
He also worked with Proplastics, a Division of Murray and Roberts as a Design and Sales Engineer and Acting Regional Sales Manager (2006 – 2007).
Eng Ncube then joined World Vision Zimbabwe where he held several roles such as Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Engineer and Water and Sanitation Coordinator.
He joined the City of Bulawayo as a Senior Engineer – Waste Water in 2010 and also worked as a Senior Engineer – Water Distribution before his promotion to Principal Engineer – Strategic Planning (2015 – 2018). He was further promoted to the position of Deputy Director of Engineering Services (Water and Sanitation) in February 2018 and has been Acting Director in the Engineering Services Department from January 2022 till his appointment as the substantive Director of the department.
Meanwhile, Cllr Mguni said a full complement of substantive heads of departments will be out soon, amid strong indications that the City’s acting chief fire officer Mr Lynos Phiri will be one of the confirmed substantive departmental heads.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo City Appoints Substantive Director Of Engineering Services

Tendy Three Investment (TTI), the company managing Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s vehicle parking system, is set to introduce new packages.
TTI Chairperson Lizwe Mabuza last month hinted at the move during an <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/former-tti-employees-accuse-company-of-unfair-labour-practices-nepotism/">interview with Pindula News. </a>
The move, which will see motorists having the option to buy paying parking monthly fees, is part of efforts to reduce the number of complaints from both motorists and parking marshals, according to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/new-parking-packages-for-byo-motorists/">CITE.</a>
Speaking during ‘The Breakfast Club’ CITE’s current affairs daily program, TTI Public Relations Officer, Mellisa Mabeza, said: 
<blockquote>
As of now we are working on tenant’s packages, buildings that are in Town have people working there, they can come and we do packages for them, even for individuals, for them to avoid being in contact with our marshals and also to avoid theft that is done by our marshals outside.
We have our headquarters offices on the second floor of Fidelity Life Centre and we can arrange a meeting then we do packages for our motorists.
</blockquote>
TTI Chairperson Lizwe Mabuza added that some big corporations are already buying the packages. He said:
<blockquote>
We heard people’s concerns hence we have introduced the packages, big corporates have already started buying them, and packages will come at a discount, we will come with an official communication, launch it officially within 2-3 weeks we will have a big launch so that people can have a catalogue of what to buy from.
There will be a one-month package, two weeks package, one week package, those packages come with a discount, without preempting, one month package you can gain up to 30 percent or above discount.
The two weeks package will also give you a certain level of discount but the 1month package shows us that someone can go up to 35 percent discount on what they are paying and we are willing to say let those be available and alleviate the situation of change and confrontations with marshals.
</blockquote>
Mabuza said motorists won’t have to display tickets when they have packages as it will now be the marshals’ responsibility to print out the receipt and display the ticket for motorists.
Motorists have been complaining about the clamping fee which is US$20. The parking fee for an hour is US$1 or the equivalent in other currencies.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

New Parking Fee Packages For Bulawayo Motorists

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) management last Wednesday attempted to reverse a service industry bay in Luveve lease awarded to Ward 28 councillor, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kidwelll_Mujuru">Kidwell Mujuru</a> thereby triggering outroar from councillors.
Mujuru, who is the only ZANU PF councillor had been awarded the lease through the council’s sub-committee on the allocation of stands and premises, <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/drama-as-bcc-management-attempt-to-reverse-tender/">The Sunday News</a> reported. 
Councillors, however, returned an audit report and council confidential minutes to council management and walked out of the council in-committee meeting alleging bribery on the part of management.
In the initial shortlist Mujuru had been judged third with one Mr Wonder Siziba having been awarded the lease. 
However, after deliberations and reviewing all the applications, Mujuru was then awarded the lease. 
The matter was later handled by the council’s internal audit section which questioned the awarding of the lease to Mujuru and urged that Siziba be given the lease. 
Councillors have, however, accused council management of trying to gate-crush Siziba amid bribery allegations. Reads part of an audit report:
<blockquote>
Audit received an anonymous letter and later an email querying and alleging bribery and corruption in interviews involving applicants for six tendered sites including Local Authority site 1252 Luveve. The unprocedural award of Local Authority Site 1252 Luveve resulted in reputational and administrative prejudice to the City of Bulawayo as well as financial and business prejudice to Mr Wonder Siziba who had come first in the adjudication process.
</blockquote>
Siziba reportedly lost out to Mujuru because he did not reside in the said suburb.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo City Council's Attempt To Reverse A Tender Triggers Outroar

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) blames poor supervisory duties for the death firefighter who was burnt while fighting a veld fire at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
The local authority has also partially attributed the accident to the late firefighter – Fanyana Dick Shuluma – for failure to properly use some of the firefighting protection equipment. 
The firefighter, who is survived by a wife, two sons and a daughter, died two days after the incident at Mater Dei Hospital.
Retired Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said it was impossible for a firefighter of Shuluma’s calibre who served for nearly a quarter of a century to have been burnt by a veld fire to the extent of dying, according to <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/firefighter-death-inquiry-results-out/">The Sunday News</a>. 
According to findings of the internal inquiry, it was established that the Fire Brigade crew, among other issues, failed to use provided radio communication equipment among themselves. Reads the report in part:
<blockquote>
The committee noted that the supervisor, Mr Manob Zhou did not execute his duties conscientiously. He worked on an assumption of the trainee that the late Mr Shuluma had joined the other group and withdrew one from the deceased’s crew without consultation. Upon realising that one employee was missing, procedurally the supervisor was supposed to suspend operations until the missing employee was accounted for.
Non-use of the face visor by the deceased contributed to the severity of the injuries on face. Failure by the brigade crew to use the provided radio communication equipment also hindered effective distant communication among the teams.
As a result, the deceased was unable to signal distress early for rescue. The strength and the unanticipated shift in the direction of the wind may have impaired the employee’s judgement of the fire direction and also the presence of tall dry grass in the area of operation fuelled the fire. Furthermore, the thicket may also have been a hindrance to the employee’s safe escape from the fire.
</blockquote>
<h2>The report further notes that:</h2>
The firefighters were divided into three groups with three members each.
Shuluma was assigned to command the third group which was to do controlled burning moving towards the road leading to NUST’s second gate. The other members of his team were Ms Buhlebethu Ngwenya, a trainee firefighter and Mr Khohlwani Moyo, a firefighter. 
Mr Moyo led, followed by Ngwenya while Shuluma was at the tail end of the formation. 
A few minutes later Mr Monab Zhou summoned Moyo to leave Shuluma’s team and come and assist him.
Zhou later decided to leave Moyo to go and monitor the progress of the other teams. 
On his way, he met trainee firefighter Buhlebenkosi Ngwenya and enquired about the whereabouts of Shuluma to which Ngwenya said they assumed Shuluma had joined the other team.
The team was later informed by the NUST security personnel that they had heard screams for help which upon investigation turned out to be Shuluma.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Supervisor Blamed For Death Of BCC Firefighter At NUST

Bulawayo Mayor, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Solomon_Mguni">Solomon Mguni</a> and former deputy mayor, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mlandu_Ncube">Mlandu Ncube</a>, Thursday boycotted a Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) meeting organised for councillors in Harare allegedly in fear of the MDC-T leader <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Douglas_Mwonzora">Douglas Mwonzora</a>.
The councillors were in the capital attending an Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) workshop.
CCC sources said the party took advantage of the UCAZ indaba to summon the councillors following the recalling of Ward 3 councillor and deputy mayor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tinashe_Kambarami">Tinashe Kambarami</a> by the MDC-T allegedly at the instigation of Mguni and Ncube.
It is claimed that while Ncube has been actively participating in several CCC Whatsapp groups, Mguni’s allegiance has not been clear since Mwonzora started recalling members viewed as aligned to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa">Nelson Chamisa.</a>
Sources said 13 councillors attended Thursday‘s meeting while one councillor tendered his apology after failing to attend.
Bulawayo City Council has 29 councillors with only one belonging to ZANU PF.
One councillor who attended the meeting addressed by the CCC’s leadership spoke to NewZimbabwe.com:
<blockquote>
Following the recalling of Kambarami, the party wanted to know those councillors, who are still with us and those who are pretending to be with us, while they are with Mwonzora.
Thursday‘s meeting finally exposed those fence-sitting individuals.
</blockquote>
Some of the CCC councillors, who were present at the meeting include Donaldson Mabuto (Ward 9), Arnold Batirai Dube, (Ward 24) Sikhululekile Moyo (Ward 17), Edwin Dube ( ward 8), Ernest Rafamoyo (20) and Kambarami.
Due to fear of losing their posts, which will see some forfeiting cars and other perks, some have allegedly been attending meetings of both political parties to assess where the political wind is blowing.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo Mayor, Deputy Boycott CCC Meeting Allegedly In Fear Of Mwonzora's Wrath

Bulawayo mayor Solomon Mguni on Monday accused the ruling ZANU PF of promoting illegal vending in the city, which was leading to rampant littering.
Mguni spoke as the city launched a campaign dubbed ‘Spring Cleaning Week’ which will see the local authority clear rubbish which has piled up at seven locations in the city centre.
He said ZANU PF encouraged the vendors who had been chased out of the CBD to return and occupy 5th Avenue where they are untouchable, even by the police. He is cited by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/09/bulawayo-mayor-accuses-zanu-pf-of-fuelling-illegal-vending-in-the-city/">ZimLive.com</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
People who were settled here (5th Avenue) were settled by politicians from the ruling party and we have tried to engage the party and the security apparatus of the state to try and remove them.
This is a public road, it was closed to vending and we decentralised markets but people think money is the city centre. 5th Avenue remains a public road, it was gazetted as a public road and it remains as such. We have to enforce the law, but it requires collective effort of all government agencies including the Environmental Management Agency, health authorities, the security apparatus of the state and our own security officers to ensure that we reopen the road to the public. It’s a question of enforcement which has gone beyond the local authority alone.
</blockquote>
During the peak of COVID-19, the central government ordered Bulawayo to clear vendors from the CBD to high-density suburbs and 5th Avenue was reopened to the motoring public.
Mguni however says many of the vendors have returned and are getting protection from Zanu PF.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo Mayor Mguni Accuses ZANU PF Of Promoting Illegal Vending

Bulawayo is set to get a new suburb with 5 000 residential stands that will be constructed on its outskirts, with the location expected to be incorporated into the city once the delimitation exercise is completed.
The Bulawayo City Council is pushing for an additional six wards to be incorporated into the city during the delimitation exercise, which will see a number of areas that currently fall under the Umguza constituency being incorporated into the city.
<a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/5000-stands-more-wards-for-bulawayo/">The Sunday Mail</a> reports that a private developer is already working on the development of 5 000 serviced stands which will be under the city’s jurisdiction once the delimitation exercise is complete. 
This came out in a BCC engineering services report, where the developer, Hencock Ranching has sent a proposal to partner with the local authority in the upgrading and operation of the sewerage services to cater for the new developments. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
The standing agreement between the City of Bulawayo and the developer with regards to wastewater treatment is that Hencock Ranching are expected to construct decentralised wastewater treatment facilities to cater for the full extent of their proposed development. However, upon assessing the total volume of sewage to be generated by the full extent of the development, the contractor realised that the wastewater treatment facilities to be constructed will be too costly to consider as stand-alone units.
</blockquote>
The developer is working on the upmarket Hopeville, Hopelyn and Hope Estate housing projects, which according to the report will have a shopping mall, three shopping centres, a hotel, seven primary schools, three secondary schools and a lifestyle estate.
The developer is aiming at partnering with the local authority in the operations of Aisleby sewerage treatment works where only one of the three plants is operational and discharging into the Umguza River.
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo Set To Get A New Suburb With 5 000 Residential Stands

Occupants of BMC houses in Makokoba, have refused to vacate the Bulawayo City Council (BCC)-owned houses demanding that the local government authority gives them a 10-year eviction notice.
BCC had issued a recent three-month notice which was going to affect over 70 tenants.
The Combined Bulawayo Residents Association (CBRA), BMC residents and the Makokoba Peace Committee petitioned the local authority to withdraw the notice.
CBRA representative Charles Nyama said the BCC housing and community service department recently called for an engagement between the involved parties following the residents’ petition. Nyama said:
<blockquote>
After shifting blame between two parties, the housing department then agreed to further engagement after a 10-year eviction notice proposal was tabled in council because it was not easy to reverse an eviction decision.
</blockquote>
The parties also agreed that evicted residents be moved to Vumbu and Thokozani Flats, which are also council houses.
Ward 7 councillor Shadreck Sibanda said BMC residents would not be evicted. He told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/07/bmc-tenants-demand-10-year-eviction-notice/">NewsDay Zimbabwe:</a>
<blockquote>
We apologise as councillors for taking such a big decision without considering the welfare of residents. I promise that the BMC residents will not be evicted. I am going to defend this issue in the council chambers. There are so many reasons why the decision needs to be reversed besides the welfare of BMC residents.
</blockquote>
BMC residents, who preferred not to be named, said such critical agreements should be on paper and not verbal.
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Tenants Resist Eviction, Demand 10-year Notice

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has named some streets in the city’s new suburbs for easy identification of properties.
In a statement yesterday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said wider consultations with residents were conducted before new street names were adopted. 
Dube said the exercise is guided by the council resolution of the 8th August 1990 where the Council adopted guidelines for the naming of public features including streets.
He said in suburbs which are already developed and have residents residing there, ward councillors were engaged to liaise with the residents to come up with the street names in line with guidelines for street naming which were availed to them.
Dube said street naming is ongoing in suburbs such as Mahatshula North, Mahatshula South, Parklands East Extension, Emhlangeni, Harrisvale, Lochview, Sunninghill, Manningdale, Marvel, Newton, Neqi, Selborne Park, Willsgrove, Buena Vista and Donnington West. 
He added that Council on 4 January 2017 adopted the following street names for Mahatshula which are based on the Nguni chieftaincy surnames and totems:
<blockquote>
a). Chiefs: Chief Bidi, Chief Khayisa, Chief Tshitshi, Chief Nkalakatha, Chief Sivalo, Chief Nyangazonke, Chief Sikhobokhobo, Chief Gwebu, Chief Tshugulu, Chief Dlodlo; Chief Mathuphula, Chief Maduna, Chief Mabhikwa, Chief Maqhekeni, Chief Mzimuni, Chief Magama, Chief Gampu, Chief Mguni.
b).  Some of the names and totems include Sokhela, Manyewu, Mgutshini, Njola, Mguni Fethe, Mazibuko Thwalabesebe, Mangwana, Gogo Natali and Tshili Mkheswa among others.
</blockquote>
Mr Dube said the themes chosen were names of late leaders whom they felt had contributed to the development of Bulawayo and the country and indigenous trees. These include:
<blockquote>
i). Nicholas J Mabodoko – BCC Mayor of Bulawayo 1981-1983, 
ii). Abel N. T Siwela BCC First Executive Mayor of Bulawayo 1996-2000, 
iii). Bishop Siphuma Roman Catholic Priest, 
iv). Bishop Kaslew Lutheran Church Priest.
v). David Ndoda – Salvation Army Priest, 
vi). Reverend Nunu-Methodist Church Priest, 
vii). Rev Manyoba Methodist Church Priest, 
viii). Dr Joana Davis-Former Medical Doctor and
ix). J Mkandla and SDA Church Priest.
</blockquote>
Residents of Buena Vista, which is adjacent to Lochview along the Old Esigodini road, chose to have their roads named after indigenous trees: Umvimila, Iminyela, Umphafa, Umviyo, Umkhuna, Umvagazi, Umhlali, Umlugulu, Umkhiwa, Ugagu.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bulawayos-new-street-names/">Chronicle</a>

Bulawayo City Council Names Streets

Two Bulawayo residents have through Ncube Attorneys written to Bulawayo city council requesting info in connection with the awarding of a parking management project within the City of Bulawayo which awarded the tender to Tendy Three Investments (Pvt) Ltd. 
The local authority, in partnership with South African company, Tendy Three Investments (TTI), launched the parking system last month, but the move has been met with rage and resistance as motorists argued the charges were exorbitant. Some questioned the benefit of the deal to Bulawayo’s development.
Under a six-year build, operate and transfer arrangement, the local authority will receive 30 per cent of revenue, while TTI will take 70 per cent.
Motorists are now required to pay US$1 or the equivalent in local currency at the prevailing auction rate per hour to park in the city parking bays down after the local authority <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/03/22/bulawayo-city-council-reduce-parking-fees-following-public-outrage/">reviewed the fees following public outrage.</a> We present below a letter to the Town Clerk:
<blockquote>
<h2>RE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE AWARDING OF TENDER TO TENDY THREE INVESTMENTS (PVT) LTD </h2>
The above matter refers. We act for and are instructed by two Bulawayo motorists namely, Mr. Mqondisi Ndeble and Majaha Fuzwayo.
They have instructed us to write to you to in connection with the award of a parking management project within the City of Bulawayo which awarded the tender to Tendy Three Investments (Pvt) Ltd. The instruction at hand is that you arrange that our office attends at yours to copy, at the clients’ expense, all the documents relating to the award of this tender to the company that is currently implemementing the parking management in the City. This will enable them to formulate an opinion regarding the award of the tender to the said company.
We ask that we be allowed to do the above within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter. 
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo Residents Engage Lawyers As They Demand Information On Parking Tender To SA Company

Bulawayo City Council Monday announced that it was reducing parking fees following public outrage over the fees that were viewed as exorbitant. 
In the latest pricing model, reviewed Monday, motorists are now required to pay US$1 or the equivalent in local currency at the prevailing auction rate per hour to park in the city parking bays. 
Announcing the climb-down in a statement on Friday evening, town clerk Mr Christopher Dube said: 
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public and the motoring public that with effect from Monday, 21 March 2022, the Central Business District has been designated into a single zone of 1 hour/US$1 or at equivalent bank rate through EcoCash, POS or ZWL cash. This notification cancels the 30mins US$1 zone that was in place at the core of the city.
</blockquote>
Prior to the latest development, motorists were required to pay US$1 for the 30 minutes in the prime parking bays in Zone One, which stretches from Leopold Takawira Avenue to 11th Avenue and Fife Street to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and US$1 for an hour in the ordinary parking bays.
Motorists are criticising the local government authority for “failure” to adequately consult stakeholders before the implementation of the new parking management system in the city centre.
Residents have appealed for BCC to go back to the drawing board, engage the different actors in the city so as to come up with a more inclusive, equitable and economically reasonable parking fee that will not inhibit the economic activity of the city.
Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) chairman Mr Winos Dube said although the decision to reduce the parking fees is commendable, the parking charge must be reduced further to make it affordable to residents.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (Bupra) secretary for administration Mr Thembelani Dube said this climbdown by the council shows that they did not consult residents fully.
In its petition, which was handed over to the town clerk, ZAPU said BCC should adopt a hybrid system of zoning and reduce the fee to US$0.50 per hour and not more than US$5 per day.
ZAPU said there seem to be little information available to residents around the deal between BCC and TTI.
The local authority, in partnership with South African company, Tendy Three Investments (TTI), launched the parking system last month, but the move has been met with rage and resistance as motorists argued the charges were exorbitant. Some questioned the benefit of the deal to Bulawayo’s development.
Under a six-year build, operate and transfer arrangement, the local authority will receive 30 per cent of revenue, while TTI will take 70 per cent.
According to the petition, ZAPU wants BCC to, within seven days, make public the identities of other companies that competed for the same tender with TTI and how the 70/30 per cent partnership between the council and the company was arrived at.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/watch-cbd-parking-fees-furore-escalates/">The Chronicle</a>

Bulawayo City Council Reduce Parking Fees Following Public Outrage

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has been accused of awarding tenders to incompetent companies following delays in the implementation of the solar farm project in the city.
But the city fathers blamed the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) for delays in the approval of the project, adding that none of the nine companies interested in the project had been awarded the tender.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi told Southern Eye that the solar farm project was a good initiative which, if implemented will alleviate the city’s power shortages. Sibindi said:
<blockquote>
It is really a good project, but the problem now is the city council is always giving tenders to the wrong companies. I heard about the project long back but ever since nothing has been done concerning the project. 
The council always promises us heaven and earth, but it all ends on paper. The biggest challenge that we have is that everything they propose takes too long to come to fruition, nothing ever gets finished.
</blockquote>
In July last year, council said nine companies were competing for the solar project.
Bulawayo deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said submissions were made to ZIDA, which was yet to grant approval.
He said no company had been selected to partner council in the solar project, adding that work could only begin after ZIDA’s approval.
This is happening as Zimbabwe is facing acute power shortages.
More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

"Council Always Gives Tenders To Wrong Companies," As Solar Power Project Delays

Bulawayo councillors have suggested government must deploy the military to chase vendors from the city’s streets.
The vendors sell various wares on the streets, at intersections and on pavements.
At a recent full council meeting, councillors Sikhululekile Moyo and Felix Mhaka suggested that assistance from the police and the army was necessary, especially after 4 pm.
According to the minutes of the meeting, seen by <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bulawayo-councilors-want-soldiers-deployed-to-deal-with-vendors/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Moyo said: 
<blockquote>
Vendors have become a huge menace. Driving along 6th Avenue had now proved to be impossible.
</blockquote>
Responding to the councillor’s concerns, Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou admitted that illegal vending was now out of control in the city. Zhou told the councillors:
<blockquote>
Several unfruitful engagements had been conducted accordingly. Efforts were being made with the respective stakeholders on how best to curb illegal vending. Law enforcement was required to restore order in the city.
</blockquote>
Local government authorities, especially in urban areas, have for years been chasing vendors from the streets, but they constantly came back arguing that vending was their only source of livelihood.
In addition to littering and causing disorder in the streets, vendors, as all in the informal sector, are hard to tax. Taxes constitute a huge revenue source for local authorities.
Businesses in the formal sector, who actually pay taxes, are the main voice that has been calling for the removal of vendors from the streets. 
Vendors flooded streets in recent years following the closure of many companies as the economy nosedived.
<h2>More – <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo City Calls For Deployment Of Soldiers To Evict Vendors

Reports coming from Bulawayo suggest that many parking bays are empty as motorists are avoiding parking in the Central Business District following a hike of parking fees by the local government authority.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s 2022 Budget was recently approved by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo and is effective from February.
The central government had<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/01/23/central-government-rejects-bulawayo-citys-23-billion-budget-for-2022/"> initially rejected</a> Bulawayo City Council’s ZWL$23 billion <a href="http://citybyo.co.zw/Notices/Proposed2022BudgetTariffs">budget for 2022</a> on grounds that it allocated a massive 44% of the total budget on salaries, a figure which exceeds the recommended limit of 30%.
BCC and the contractor — Tendy Three Investments (TTI) — which won the tender to install the parking management system in the city, are charging US$1 for 30 minutes, for “prime parking.”
For “ordinary parking,” motorists will pay US$1 for an hour.
The new fees are effective from today, Friday 18 February. According to the local authority, the project is being implemented in phases.
Phase 1 will cater for the prime parking in the city set to cover Leopold Takawira Avenue to 11th Avenue and Fife Street to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
The second phase to the sixth phase will be an expansion from the area covered by the first phase until the whole city is encompassed. Once complete, there would be 7 200 parking bays in the city under the system. On Friday, they will commence with 174 parking bays.
The fees attracted a public outcry but the local authority’s corporate communications manager, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu recently told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/park-your-car-walk-to-keep-fit-bcc-us1-per-30-min-parking-fees-kick-in/">The Sunday News</a> that all the necessary consultations had been done in coming up with the fees.
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Motorists Avoid Parking In Bulawayo CBD After Fees Hike - Report

The City of Bulawayo has advised its customers that the City of Bulawayo 2022 Budget has been approved by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.
Charges went up with effect from February 2022 as follows: 
<blockquote>
<table class="table table-bordered table-hover" id="table_1" style="width: 97.6241%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">Domestic Rates</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">150%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.85">Non Domestic Rates</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.72">177%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">Domestic water</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">150%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.9">Non-domestic water</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">180%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.91">Sewerage</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">150%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">Solid waste management</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.98">150%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.79">Non Domestic Solid Waste Management</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">160%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.85">Admission Fees to Stadia &amp; Swimming Pools</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.76">Hire of Council Facilities</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.97">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.94">Patient Fees for use of an ambulance</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.88">Cessation Fees</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.84">Shop Licences</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.18">increase on 2021 Tariffs.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.78">Liquor Licences</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.73">Garage Licences</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.94">Trading Permits</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.92">Route Approval &amp; Development Permits</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.77">Inspection Fees &amp; any other licences</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.95">450%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.71">Council Rented Properties</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.96">250%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 58.6031%;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.87">Sale of Pit Sand &amp; Precast Products</td>
<td style="width: 19.5911%; text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.86">626%</td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 76.4267%;" title="Character Accurarcy=0"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Pindula News</a></h2>

Bulawayo City Council Announce New Charges Effective February 2022

Bulawayo-based lawyer Mr Thandaza Masiye-Moyo has been appointed as the substantive board chairperson for the Bulawayo City Council-owned Bulawayo Municipal Commercial Undertaking (BMCU).
BMCU runs Ingwebu Breweries and council operated farms in the city. 
Masiye-Moyo takes over from Concern Joshua Sibanda whose term of office expired on 31 December last year. 
Before his appointment, Masiye-Moyo was the board’s deputy chairperson.
<img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-225685" decoding="async" height="396" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ingwebu-Breweries-Thandaza-Masiye-Moyo-300x178.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ingwebu-Breweries-Thandaza-Masiye-Moyo-300x178.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ingwebu-Breweries-Thandaza-Masiye-Moyo-768x455.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ingwebu-Breweries-Thandaza-Masiye-Moyo.jpg 945w" width="667"/>
According to a confidential council report, Masiye-Moyo had previously been seconded to be the acting chairperson while the local authority looked for a substantive board chairperson.
As part of the process of his appointment as the acting chairperson, Masiye-Moyo reportedly had a one on one meeting with the city’s Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, where it was later recommended that he be elevated to be the substantive board chairperson. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
The meeting yielded very positive results in that Mr Thandaza Masiye-Moyo proved himself as worthwhile to chair the Ingwebu Breweries board as he displayed enthusiasm and passion to take Ingwebu Breweries forward. He possessed the required skills and professionalism to be appointed substantively.
His current term of office as board member for Ingwebu Breweries was set to expire on 2 October 2022.
</blockquote>
Councillors expressed mixed feelings regarding the appointment especially considering the fact that already Masiye-Moyo’s term was also about to expire. 
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/ingwebu-appoints-new-board-chairperson/">The Sunday News</a>

Thandaza Masiye-Moyo Appointed Ingwebu Substantive Chairperson

Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) has expressed concern over a spate of road accidents involving Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses. 
The association blames both ZUPCO and Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
This comes after two ZUPCO buses have been involved in road accidents in different parts of the city in just a week killing a combined four while injuring over 25 people.
BURA chairperson, Winos Dube said it was sad that the accidents were involving the main transport provider, ZUPCO whose mandate is said to save the people. Dube added:
<blockquote>
It’s an issue of concern as residents as well as the leaders and representatives of residents that we have to go through such. This experience leaves us to ask ourselves what causes these accidents.
The state of the roads is very bad and needs serious attention.
And the buses themselves are they road worthy and are they the ones that should be providing these services.
</blockquote>
Dube also suggested that the personnel tasked to ferry passengers may not be mentally sound to be delivering these services.
Dube urged the relevant authorities to fix the issue. 
The accidents involving ZUPCO buses have not been confined to Bulawayo, they have been happening nationwide.
More: <a href="https://bulawayo.opencouncil.co.zw/zupco-accidents-worry-bulawayo-residents/">Open Council Bulawayo</a>

Bulawayo Residents Concerned About Accidents Involving ZUPCO Buses

The central government has refused Bulawayo City Council’s ZWL$23 billion <a href="http://citybyo.co.zw/Notices/Proposed2022BudgetTariffs">budget for 2022</a> on grounds that it allocated a massive 44% of the total budget on salaries, a figure which exceeds the recommended limit of 30%.
According to the rejected budget Ward 1, residents were expected to pay an estimated $12 146 per month, Ward 2 $5806, Ward 3 and 5 $8 025, Ward 4 10 878, Ward 6 $7 391 and Ward 7 3451.
Ward 8, 20, 11, 12, 14, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 would pay $3578.

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/11/10/harare-city-presents-42-billion-budget/">Harare City Presents $42 Billion Budget</a></li>
</ul>
However, residents, through the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, objected to the new charges arguing that they were exorbitant.
This led to minimal reductions in charges by the council.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bulawayo-unveils-24b-2022-budget/">The $24 billion budget was reduced to $23 billion</a>, while rates increases were revised downwards to 200% from 216%.
However, that has not been enough as the government has cited the issues to do with salaries.
The rejection of the new budget by the government creates room for hope for the aggrieved residents.
It means residents will continue paying rates from 2021 until a new budget is submitted and approved. 
Local government authorities often cite underfunding as the major reason behind the rampant poor delivery of public goods and services. 
More: <a href="https://bulawayo.opencouncil.co.zw/bulawayo-councils-23b-budget-for-2022-rejected/">Open Council Bulawayo</a>

Central Government Rejects Bulawayo City's $23 Billion Budget For 2022

ZANU PF Bulawayo South legislator and businessman Raj Modi has offered a Tipper and Front-End loader to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to clear piles of uncollected garbage in the central business district (CBD).
Garbage had piled up along the streets of Bulawayo over the past few weeks, with the local authority claiming it does not have enough equipment to collect it.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com Modi, who is also the deputy minister of Industry and Commerce, said he decided to chip in with the equipment after some residents through a WhatsApp group complained about uncollected garbage in the city centre. Modi said:
<blockquote>
I decided to assist after some residents in the Bulawayo city centre WhatsApp group raised concern about uncollected litter which had become an eyesore in most parts of the city. I have dedicated a Tipper and Front-End Loader to the cleaning exercise which started yesterday.
</blockquote>
The deputy minister said the cleaning exercise will cover the whole of Bulawayo CBD.
He also revealed that, apart from providing the cleaning equipment, his company has also embarked on printing posters and fliers urging residents not to throw rubbish everywhere. 
Modi added that the gesture is meant to complement the government’s anti-littering awareness programme.
The minister stressed that his gesture was not motivated by any political motive adding that he is helping as “a concerned citizen.” More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mp-offers-personal-equipment-to-clear-byo-refuse/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Deputy Minister Offers Personal Equipment Towards Clearance Of Uncollected Garbage

Bulawayo City engineering director Simela Dube died on Wednesday and the cause of his death was not disclosed.
He was 56.
Dube’s death came shortly after the city lost another luminary — soccer administrator Ndumiso Gumede, who succumbed to kidney failure at Mpilo Hospital on Wednesday.
Mayor Solomon Mguni confirmed Dube’s death, describing it as a huge blow to the city’s turnaround strategy. Mguni said:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise the public, residents of Bulawayo stakeholders and fellow local authorities of the untimely death of our director of engineering services on the morning of Thursday, December 30 in Bulawayo.
</blockquote>
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson Ambrose Sibindi described Dube’s death as shocking news. Sibindi said: 
<blockquote>
We are shocked after hearing about the sad news. I met him last week and we spoke. He was fit and strong. I never heard about anything wrong with his health.
</blockquote>
Mourners are gathered at number 11 McCollough Road, Matsheumhlope in Bulawayo. Burial arrangements are yet to be advised.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/12/bulawayo-city-engineer-dies/">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a>

Bulawayo City's Engineering Director Simela Dube Has Died

Bulawayo’s water crisis has worsened forcing some schools to dismiss learners prematurely as part of contingency measures in light of a looming health disaster. 
There are also reports that public schools in the metropolitan province owe the council $23 million in water bills, which the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is disputing.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) last Friday introduced a weekly 48-hour water-shedding programme to affect the city except for the city centre and industrial sites.
BCC has since increased the water-shedding exercise to 72 hours per week although residents in some suburbs have gone for almost a week without water. 
However, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/ZESA">ZESA</a> subsidiary, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Energy_Distribution_and_Transmission_Company">Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC)</a> says there was no major electrical fault in the city.
Nkulumane Primary School Thursday dismissed learners around 10 AM citing the prevailing water crisis, which has seen ablution facilities being overwhelmed. 
The chairperson of the Nkulumane Primary School Development Committee (SDC), Mr Morgan Masuku confirmed that learners were dismissed earlier due to the water challenges at the school. He said:
<blockquote>
Our children are no longer safe at school because of the current water crisis, which has hit the entire city. School authorities consulted us over the issue and it was agreed that our children should be dismissed early to avert an imminent health disaster.
We also have a challenge with BCC’s water billing system, which we are challenging given that schools are not commercial entities. Council says we owe them $1,2 million, which does not tally with our consumption.
</blockquote>
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro said whenever there is a critical water shortage, affected schools are supposed to take contingency measures, such as dismissing pupils.
Mr Ndoro confirmed that public schools in Bulawayo were sitting on a $23 million water bill, which he said was not justified given that the city has not consistently provided water. 
Bulawayo province has 201 registered schools, most of which are Government-run with an enrolment of a total of 201 977 pupils.
More: The Chronicle

Water Crisis Force Bulawayo Schools To Dismiss Learners Prematurely

Members of the geverning ZANU PF Tuesday clashed with Vapostori over vending bays from Joshua Nkomo street to Fife Street along 5th Avenue in Bulawayo.
When the Southern eye crew arrived at the scene, there was pushing and shoving as they jostled for marked vending bays, with municipal police struggling to contain the situation that was fast blowing out of hand.
Some Zanu PF members in party regalia claimed they deserved to occupy the vending bays while members of the apostolic sect  claimed the space was reserved for them.
One of the vendors, who only identified himself as Tendai said the place was reserved for apostolic sect members. He said:
<blockquote>
This place had been closed because of the lockdown and before that, it belonged to Vapostori.
That is why you see that there are a lot of Vapostori here.
We got here early in the morning and we were surprised that bays are now being forcibly taken by Zanu PF members. We will not allow this to happen.
</blockquote>
Mayor Solomon Mguni condemned the clashes accusing “a section of Zanu PF youths” of taking the law into their own hands by barricading sections of 5th Avenue from Joshua Nkomo Street to Fife Street and allocating each other vending bays on a public road.
He added that Bulawayo City Council was working on a government policy to decongest the central business district and decentralise fresh produce markets to suburban areas.
Mguni said no political party had a right to allocate vending bays, insisting such a task was the responsibility of council.
Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Obert Msindo said he was not aware of the clashes.
More: NewsDay

ZANU PF, Mapostori Clash Over Vending Bays

Bulawayo councillors on Wednesday expressed anger at the central government for allegedly awarding road read rehabilitation tenders to individuals or companies from outside Matabeleland.
Speaking during a full council meeting as he opened the debate, deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said:
<blockquote>
We cannot have the whole government coming to do pothole patching, this is very dangerous.
We were doing pothole patching better with our communities. To make matters worse, the same programme brings people from outside Bulawayo under the name of road rehabilitation.
You go around all projects in Bulawayo you find people speaking one language and cannot speak the other language. It’s a sign these are imported companies. Where are the Bulawayo companies to do Bulawayo roads?
We can’t pretend we are doing Bulawayo roads and take money outside Bulawayo. The money that is working in Bulawayo should benefit Bulawayo by creating employment.
</blockquote>
The government earlier this year announced the launch of a US$400 million Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP2) targeting major feeder roads into towns and cities.
Bulawayo’s share of the money is Z$625 million (about US$7.2 million) for the rehabilitation of its estimated road network covering 2,460km. The money was not given to the local authority, however. Instead, the Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED) has been in charge of the budget.
Emakhandeni councillor Pilate Moyo said a company that was resurfacing Masiyephambili Drive from Emagetsini to Victoria Falls Road in Richmond had abandoned the project before finishing.
Councillors Arnold Batsirai and Silas Chigora urged councillors to put pressure on the government to fully implement devolution to avoid such conflicts accusing the central government of micro-managing local authorities.
Councillor Tawanda Ruzive, the chair of the city’s finance committee, said the project must be stopped so that anomalies are corrected.
Bulawayo mayor Solomon Mguni said the issue was that the central government is a political competitor to urban local authorities adding that as elected representatives of the people of Bulawayo, “accountability rests with us.”
Mguni said the government had diverted its allocation of ZINARA and devolution funds to its own road scheme which the local authority had no control over.
The government says it intervened because local authorities have failed.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2021/09/01/bulawayo-councillors-explode-over-shoddy-government-road-repairs-in-city/">ZimLive</a>

Bulawayo Councillors Furious Over Awarding Of Road Rehabilitation Tenders

Bulawayo Mayor, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Solomon_Mguni">Solomon Mguni</a> has justified the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/08/07/bulawayo-council-approves-construction-of-25-million-mansion-for-mayor/">building of a ZW$25 million mayoral mansion</a> saying the house will not be his as the State House was not built for the late former president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe">Robert Mugabe.</a>
He speaks as the plan to build the mansion has raised eyebrows with critics and Bulawayo residents saying the move was irrational considering that the local government authority was failing to provide expected public goods and services citing the inadequacy of resources. 
Mguni, however, told The NewsHawks in an interview that the house will be of benefit to the city for many years to come. He said:
<blockquote>
Why the noise? This is not Mguni’s house! This house (if construction is approved) will be finished, even after my term of office. A State House was built many years ago, but it was never built for Mugabe or Mnangagwa. In the same vein, it’s a mayoral house like a State House.
They (BPRA) have now written to the minister. It is now up to the minister. It is no longer in our control. Let the minister make a pronouncement and decision on what BPRA has now written to him, and the concerns I raised with the minister. We will be guided by what the minister then says.
</blockquote>
Initially, the council had resolved to renovate one of its houses at the exclusive Hornung Golf Club in Burnside suburb into a mayoral house but abandoned the idea after noting that the cost of refurbishment would only be slightly lower than the amount required to build a new mansion.
Council reports show that renovating the Hornung Golf Club property would cost the council an estimated US$146 364, approximately ZW$13 million using the central bank’s foreign exchange auction system whereas ZW$25 million was needed for a new mansion.
Council has set a five-month deadline to construct the new mansion. To speed up the project, 30 contract workers, among them builders and bricklayers, will be employed, increasing the local authority’s already problematic wage bill.
More: <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/byo-mayor-defends-controversial-plan-to-build-z25m-mansion/">The NewsHawks</a>

State House Was Not Built For Mugabe - Mguni Defends Mayoral Mansion

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has approved the construction of a $25 million luxurious mansion for the city’s mayor Solomon Mguni at Selbourne Park, NewZimbabwe reports.
Mguni currently resides in Nkulumane high-density suburb.
According to a council confidential report, an interdepartmental committee set up by the council to explore available options has recommended that the council should build Mguni a new house at a stand owned by the local authority in Selbourne Park.
Initially, the city fathers had proposed to renovate one of the council‘s properties at Hornung Golf Club and allocate it to the mayor while the other option was to buy him an upmarket property. Reads part of the report:
<blockquote>
The committee recommended that council takes into consideration option two as the estimated time of renovations and building were the same. The estimated building costs of a new house were slightly higher than the renovation costs. It was also noted that council could utilize its building branch staff to conduct the special project.
</blockquote>
The development has reportedly angered the hard-pressed residents who have been calling for an improvement in service delivery. Bulawayo has for years been having water challenges.
Meanwhile, MDC Alliance Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza has distanced the party’s councillors from the mayoral mansion’s project. Said Chirowodza:
<blockquote>
MDC Alliance is a poor people’s party and we do not support such unnecessary extravagance. Bulawayo ratepayers are in the midst of abject poverty and they cannot religiously pay their bills because of poverty. As a party, we cannot, therefore, be seen to be supporting this madness. 
</blockquote>
Chorwadza added that the local government authority is now dominated by MDC-T after the recall of eight MDC A Alliance councillors by Mwonzora last year.
MDC Alliance was left with only five councillors who reportedly tried to resist “this antipeople’s resolution but alas they were outnumbered.”
MDC-T currently has 14 councillors while Zanu PF has only one councillor.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bcc-pampers-mayor-with-25m-mansion/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Bulawayo Council Approves Construction Of $25 Million Mansion For Mayor

Bulawayo City Council has carried out strict house inspections and has warned that non-compliant houses would either be demolished or owners would be fined.
Council Minutes of a recent meeting note that most of the offenders were in the Cowdray Park suburb.
The Minutes add that the Deputy Director of Housing and Community Services said those offenders would either be slapped with a fine or notice of demolition. Read the minutes:
<blockquote>
Any identified non-compliant building; the owner was given a notice to address the non-compliance through regularisation but a heavy penalty was imposed. If still not rectified, a final notice was given leading to a request for demolishing authority from Council. Where there was great public danger, Council could rectify at the expense of the property owner.
Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai was handed over by the Government in May 2009 together with the relevant guideline to resolve them as detailed on the Council resolution of 4 April 2012. In terms of the Model building by-laws, the department carried out mandatory inspections, which were for new construction and renovations as per approved Plan.
These were done on request by developers/Residents. There were also routine inspections that the Department does on complete buildings. These were departmental work initiative programmes. These inspections included existing buildings and even new constructed development all over the city. The Inspections are done daily except weekends and public holidays.
However, the resources were not enough in terms of staff and vehicles. The Department did not inspect public buildings that belong to the government; these were under the purview of the Ministry of Public Construction.
</blockquote>
Minutes also state that some unlawfully build houses on stands that are being owned by other people.
The local authority demanded the approved plans in terms of the by-laws and where they were not produced, owners face fines or demolition as regularisation was ruled out.
Owners of such stands were encouraged to report to the police as such matters were not double allocations. 
More: <a href="https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-206885.html">Bulawayo24</a>

Fine Or Demolition: Bulawayo Council On Non-Compliant Houses

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has noted that bodies repatriated from South Africa are topping the list of burials at most cemeteries in the second-largest city in Zimbabwe.
This is happening when South Africa is grappling with the third wave of the coronavirus amid reports that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/who-variants-are-currently-winning-against-vaccines/">a new variant of the coronavirus, Beta, has been detected.</a>
BCC health services director Edwin Sibanda told the city fathers that Bulawayo’s cemeteries had recorded high numbers of burials of bodies repatriated from South Africa.
Read in part minutes of a recent council meeting:
<blockquote>_The director of health services reported that Athlone West Cemetery recorded burials from outside the city as follows, South Africa (11), Botswana (2), Harare (1) and Umguza (2). Luveve Cemetery recorded bodies from outside the city as follows; South Africa (10), Binga (1), Gokwe (1), Lupane (1), Plumtree (1) and Umguza (3)._</blockquote>
Councillors also expressed concern over the violation of COVID-19 regulations saying some funerals were attended by more than 30 people.
Deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said it was difficult to regulate the numbers attending funerals as that was against traditional norms.
Town clerk Christopher Dube encouraged councillors to engage with residents regarding the new normal.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/07/bodies-from-sa-congest-bulawayo-cemeteries/">NewsDay</a>

Bodies From South Africa Top List Of Burials In Bulawayo

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has warned members of the public against the unauthorised use of its Coat of Arms saying offenders will be prosecuted. Reads a statement issued by the local authority’s Clerk:
<blockquote>USE OF CITY CREST WITHOUT COUNCIL AUTHORITY
The City of Bulawayo wishes to remind members of the public that the City of Bulawayo Coat of Arms is a protected emblem used for OFFICIAL Council communication to its stakeholders. The use of the City of Bulawayo Coat of Arms without authorization from the Council is an offence.
In terms of Armorial Bearings, Names, Uniforms and Badges Chapter 10: 01. Secticon29(1), “any person who. without the authorization of the person concerned, uses a heraldic representation (Coat of Arms) which has been registered in terms of section fifteen, knowing that he required such an authorisation shall be held liable to the offence.”
Any persons found using the Crest without prior authority from Council will be prosecuted according to the Laws of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>

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