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Councillor turns paranoid following criticism by residents about
his performance
Harare Residents
Trust (HRT)
February 24, 2010
Shaken by the
decline in public support in his ward 25, Councillor Silas Machetu
has resorted to bullying members of the Highfield Residents'
Trust, threatening them with beatings and marginalisation in community
programmes.
Councillor Machetu's
action follows his humiliation by residents at a public meeting
held at CJ Community Hall in Highfield on Saturday 13 February 2010.
At the said meeting councillor Machetu was unable to provide satisfactory
responses to residents' enquiries on his involvement in alleged
corruption involving council houses, his alleged incompetence and
failure to represent them at council.
The leadership of the
Highfield Residents' Trust has been receiving threats from
identified officials, including from Councillor Machetu who accuse
the residents' leadership of exposing the councillor to public
ridicule. The councillor feels that he can only address residents
from his own political party, a decision the HRT rejects and denounces
in the strongest terms. Elected officials represent all people once
they assume public office.
The Harare Residents'
Trust (HRT) is concerned at this intolerant behaviour by an elected
councillor, who should be glad to be given an opportunity to meet
residents in his constituency, something he has failed to do since
his election in March 2008.
What Councillor Machetu
has managed to do is to attend to his weekly party district meetings,
at which he is pampered and allowed to lie without being asked to
account for his growing wealth, in comparison to his average US$150
councillor's allowance.
The HRT is preparing
a protest letter to the Mayor of Harare, decrying the incompetence
and intolerant attitude of Councillor Machetu. If nothing is done
to address these legitimate concerns of residents, the MDC-T as
a party will continue to be shamed by such malcontents and local
governance will be the loser.
The Inclusive Government
is built on the desire to strengthen Zimbabwe's democracy
and good governance. Unaccountable elected leaders should be rejected
in future elections.
Water
Disconnections:
The City of
Harare continues to disconnect water from residents who have failed
to pay up their dues. While it is appreciated that the City needs
money to operate, their action is insensitive and deprives residents
of their right to adequate and clean water for survival and hygiene.
The alternative is for the City of Harare to reduce the flow of
water to defaulting households. This is additional work but it can
be achieved. According to reports coming to the HRT, there are nearly
5 000 households across Harare that have been disconnected, creating
a potential health hazard. The impact on school going children,
women and the general health situation is frightening.
We urge the authorities
engage in dialogue with the citizens and reach an understanding
that benefits both parties. It is unhelpful to be confrontational
and using all sorts of threats. A cornered citizenry can react in
an unexpected manner.
Contact Info
0912 869 294, 0733 252 622, 0733 296 806 or email us on hretrust@yahoo.com
or hretrust79@gmail.com
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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