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Chiredzi Residents Petition Parliament Over Devolution Funds

by Bustop TV News

By Lloyd Takawira

The United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) has  petitioned parliament over the disbursement of devolution funds which they feel should not have conditions tied to them.

In a statement, UCHIRRA said the distribution of funds under certain conditions weakened self governance.

“The current disbursed funds to local authorities have conditions or tied projects to them. This has weakened the self- governance envisaged by residents as enshrined in the devolution clause in the constitution of Zimbabwe. Chiredzi residents said that they hope government will allow local authorities to the resident’s plea and prayer to parliament is that local authorities must be given the right to govern on their own initiative as in section 276 of the constitution of Zimbabwe. The right to govern include making decisions together with residents of Chiredzi on the use of devolution funds.

“These tied funds from the government have left the citizens of Chiredzi at the periphery of decision making on development priorities.”

In an interview with Bustop TV, UCHIRRA chairperson, Tizirai said residents were unhappy with the current top down approach to devolution.

“Section 276 of the Constitution of clearly stipulate the dictates of proper devolution . We are opposed to the top down approach to devolution . As Chiredzi Residents our view is that we know what is needed in our Community hence we should be the ones to dictate what devolution funds should be used for.”

Tizira went onto blast government for disrespecting the constitution saying that power should be devolved to lower tires.

“What we are witnessing is an attempt by government to continue it’s grip on councils in which councils operate at the mess of central government . However , the situation should be that down to up approach . We as  residents must say we want a toilet and then government disburse that money . Government should not dictate that we should by this or that because we as residents know whats lacking in our communities,” he said.

Quizzed on the notion by government that local authorities are not prudent and need to operate under the firm watch of government, he responded, “as residents we feel that , corruption is bad and we do not support it. We feel government should not use that as a means to curtail the operations of councils. Instead corrupt officials both elected and appointed who engage in corruption must be arrested”

Government has been accused of blocking various developmental projects under the pretext that they are not above board as the dictates of the country’s Constitution dictates .

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo has been accused of too much meddling into the affairs of councils. Observers also argue that the disbursement of devolution funds are being done irregularly in the absence of legislation governing the process.

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