‘Lack of resources hindering progress’

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VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has cited lack of financial resources as frustrating efforts to set up provincial councils in line with provisions of the new Constitution.

VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has cited lack of financial resources as frustrating efforts to set up provincial councils in line with provisions of the new Constitution.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

Addressing Members of Parliament during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said: “Creation of any new structure requires resources. It is not lack of interest to implement or failure, it is lack of resources and that is why I said it is still work in progress.”

He was responding to MDC-T Proportional Representation MP Lwazi Sibanda, who said government had contravened section 273 of the Constitution by failing to appoint provincial councillors two years ago.

Emmerson Mnangagwa
Emmerson Mnangagwa

Section 273 (1) reads: “An Act of Parliament must make provision, consistent with this chapter, for the establishment and functions of provincial and metropolitan councils and, in particular for, (a) the procedures of provincial and metropolitan councils, (b) the functions of chairpersons of provincial and metropolitan councils, (c) the conditions of service of members of provincial and metropolitan councils, and, (d) the appointment, conditions of service and removal of employees of provincial and metropolitan councils.”

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC) said Mnangagwa should further explain if government indeed had the political will to implement section 273 of the Constitution on provincial councils.

“Those people were voted for and they have spent more than two years without being sworn in. Do you want them to approach the courts over the issue?” she asked.

In an unrelated response to a question by Zaka North MP Robson Mavenyengwa (Zanu PF) on when government would re-install chiefs that were dethroned by the Rhodesian government after joining the liberation struggle, Mnangagwa said it was possible to reclaim their lost chieftainship.

“It is true that some chiefs were removed by whites and were replaced by chiefs who were sellouts. We will ensure their chieftainship is restored. However, we cannot go searching for those affected. We expect the affected chiefs to report their cases,” said Mnangagwa.