MASVINGO City Council has lined up several ward report back meetings on the 2014 budget following a protest march during which residents held town clerk Adolf Gusha hostage. TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT
In a notice signed by Gusha, council would hold several feedback meetings with residents in all the town’s 10 wards on different dates and venues where it would field contentious questions, chief among them management’s salaries and the budget expenditure as well as delays in projects.
An invitation has been sent to the Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (Murra).
Murra programmes officer Anozivaishe Muguti said they were happy the city fathers had accepted to come to the negotiating table and address residents on issues troubling them.
“After a long struggle, the city council has listened to residents. They have sent us an invitation for feedback meetings where they will update us on several issues that concern service delivery, delays in projects and residents will get the chance to ask what they want concerning the affairs of the city. We are happy that they listened after we petitioned the city fathers,” Muguti said.
The residents demonstrated in the city centre and proceeded to the town chambers where they were dispersed by riot police after holding Gusha hostage demanding audience with mayor Hubert Fidze, who was said to be away.
