Vendors bemoan ‘flawed’ budget process
By Thandeka Matebesi
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) has said that there is need for local authorities to explore mechanisms of dealing with rejected budgets.
BVTA Executive Director Mr Michael Ndiweni said there are no systems in place to handle rejected budget components by residents.
Ndiweni intimated that when residents reject the budget, the local authorities proceed with the budget process without factoring in the people’s objections, thereby causing most disillusioned residents to shun the whole process in frustration.
“We have been part of the budget process. We always submit our contributions but our views are not considered. The budget making process is flawed. Most of the time people reject some propositions within the budget but the local authorities still go ahead with the budget process. Therefore, the consultations are just a cosmetic feature meant for ticking boxes”, said Ndiweni.
“What the local authorities are lacking are ways of incorporating views of residents into the budget making process,” he added.
Ndiweni stressed that there is need for local authorities to recognize the contribution of vendors and traders within the budget.
“There is no recognition of vendors in the local budget; vendors are classified as “miscellaneous”. We are just grouped under fines and other smaller things.
This makes it difficult for us to demand a retention of what we contribute financially. We request that there be a specific line in the local authority’s budget set aside for vendors and traders. This would show that our contribution is acknowledged”, he said.
Bulawayo residents through the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association also objected the 2021 Bulawayo City Council proposed budget stating that the content and process was flawed.
In a letter dated 4 November 2020 addressed to the Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, residents said the consultations did not afford residents any meaningful room for engagement.
“For example in Entumbane (Ward 10) the ward councillor became emotional during discussions and exited the WhatsApp group when residents pressed him on information” read the letter.
Given the foregoing, residents did not fully participate in the process and their input were not taken on board.
