Aspiring Hwange West Cllrs vow to fight corruption
Nqobile Ngwenya
Aspiring Victoria Falls councillors have vowed to fight corruption and turn-around the status of the city which they describe as deplorable.
Victoria Falls falls under Hwange West Constituency.
Four councilors from ZANU PF, CCC, an independent candidate and ZAPU attended the meeting that was organised by Victoria Falls Press Club in partnership with TellZim News. ZANU PF was represented by Obvious “Bashe” Ngwenya of ward 1 while his contender in the same ward Elphias Mambume represented CCC. Morgen ” Gazza” Dube an independent candidate who will be contesting in ward 11 and Bukwa Msimanga will be vying for ward 8 were also graced the occasion.
CCC’s Mambume said once he is voted into office his first port of call would be to strengthen environmental management to preserve Victoria Falls as one of the World Heritage Sites. ” I feel it is my custodial responsibility to ensure that this city is taken care of in terms of the environment. We need to preserve Victoria Falls as one of the best World Heritage Sites. It is my conviction that once I am in council I will spruce up the environment, ” said Mambume.
He castigated the incumbent councillors for neglecting roads rehabilitation, inconsistent refuse collection and a critical shortage of potable water in the city.
“As CCC deployees, we will make sure that these issues are dealt with. There is a scourge of corruption in the city and this has to be arrested. Corruption has become systematic in the council and those elected must fight this. Our President has no tolerance to corruption.”
The firebrand Mambume pledged to work with security services to curb crime in the city. He added that in line with the urban councils Act, he will ensure that all streets in the new residential area of ward 1 are named.
ZANU PF ‘s Obvious Ngwenya said his major thrust would be to ensure that there is good governance in council. “I want to cultivate a culture of good governance. With good governance we will be able nip corruption in the bud so that it doesn’t affect council operations. I will thrive for accountability, fairness, transparency and responsibility to develop the city of Victoria Falls. As a party, we want to bring policies that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Good policies woo local and international investors,” said the soft spoken Ngwenya, while pledging to resolve the water woes given that the Zambezi River is a stone throw away from the city.
Another selling point for Ngwenya is to ensure that residents get residential stands at affordable rates.
“I want to push for residential stands. I want people to get shelter. I believe in inclusivity and I want to embrace all people in my ward regardless of colour, tribe or creed, ” said Ngwenya.
Independent candidate, Morgen Dube wants to establish sports tourism in the city.
“I am a sports administrator and it is my wish to bring sports tourism here. Victoria Falls doesn’t have sports facilities. I advocate for World class sports facilities. This initiative shall go a long way to create employment and improve tourism,” said Dube who revealed that he is the administrator of one of the leading Premier Soccer League clubs in the country.
Apart from rampant corruption in the city which he intends to eradicate, Dube’s other major concern is water shortage in the city.
“I want to lobby for water rights. We do not have reservoirs to service our population. I want to go in there to drive water availability. We want to lobby Government to grant Victoria Falls residents their water rights then our water will be available and affordable,” said Dube who boasted of contesting in ward 11 which he said was probably the biggest in Matabeleland North with a population of 4 543 registered voters.
ZAPU ward 8 candidate Msimanga promised the electorate that he will work hard to promote human rights once he is elected.
“I will fight corruption to the bitter end. Everyone is talking about it and this is depriving residents of their rights. I promise to improve transparency in council affairs. The city has no proper roads, refuse remain uncollected for a week. Vote me as your councillor then I will resolve council challenges amicably,” said Msimanga who had journalists in stitches as he claimed that he had not taken a bath for a week because the city has no water. He said he will also improve the health delivery system in the city.
Victoria Falls City councillors are being accused of corruption and poor service delivery and this has given aspiring candidates leverage in their quest to convince the electorate to discard the incumbent councillors. The city council is predominantly run by CCC councillors who have been linked to various malpractices which were allegedly committed in cahoots with senior council employees. The country’s harmonised elections are due on 23 August next week.
