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Residents becry disorder
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
June 11, 2010

Residents in Bulawayo have slammed the police for failing to protect them while prioritizing manning the roads where they are likely to cash on bribes when criminals are on the loose. Members of the police are intent on patrolling roads where they are able to undertake mischievous acts of soliciting for bribes from motorists. Recently cases of murder, rape and manslaughter have arisen as some residents have either lost their lives or ended up being hospitalized. There have been incidences of organized crime recently in Gwabalanda, Emganwini, Makokoba and Riverside where residents have lost lives and property to thieves and robbers. There are also concerns that the Zimbabwean situation may degenerate into chaos as many individuals have been able to smuggle guns through borders to engage in criminal acts. Cases of armed robberies are on the increase and residents fear that a state of anarchy may prevail as lawlessness takes full swing. Residents have since taken up to depending on neighborhood committee watchers to curb further loss of human life and property.

BPRA to monitor the constitution-making process

With the recent announcement by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Constitution- making that consultations are set to begin on the 17th of June 2010, Bulawayo residents have stated that there is need for a constant watch and report back on the process so that all concerned residents may be in the picture about the developments. Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association is set to train its members to be observers during the constitution making phase so as to provide information and synergies on what will be transpiring throughout the course of consultations. Residents have also criticized the stance taken by Zanu-PF to decline participating in the process on allegations that the money is insufficient. Zanu-Pf members want the allowances for members of the thematic teams to be upped from US$25 a day to US$75, a move residents have castigated saying consensus should be fostered towards national building first. Residents have expressed eager interest to see the process commencing, leading to the referendum and the ultimate promulgation of a new constitution into law in Zimbabwe this year.

Bulawayo residents commemorate World Environment Day

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Environment Day on Saturday the 5th of June this year. To symbolize commitment to ending effects of global warming and discouraging residents from reverting to extreme survival tactics and to desist from acts that are damning to the environment, a major clean-up was launched at Egodini terminus. The commemorations were officiated by the Mayor of Bulawayo, Councilor Patrick Thaba Moyo and were attended by representatives from 20 organizations and residents from the city's 29 wards. Residents totaling 1 500 took part in the colorful event clad in T/shirts displaying various messages to do with environment preservation. Organisations that participated included the Environmental Management Agency, Bulawayo City Council, Bulawayo Youth Council, Bulawayo Junior Council, TN Bank, Zimbabwe Democracy Development Trust, Stop Suffering Help Centre, Bulawayo Rainbow Hotels, Nketa High School, Dominican Convent, Junior Parliament, Girl Guides Association Zimbabwe, Professional Drivers Association Zimbabwe, Bantu Rovers Football Club, Bulawayo Upcoming Traders Association, Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Association, Bulawayo Public Transporters Association, Matabeleland AIDS Council and Bulawayo Vendors Association. The event was also attended by the Member of Parliament for Bulawayo East Constituency, Hon. Tabitha Khumalo. The clean-up shall culminate into the Cleanest Ward Award where wards shall be ranked in order of cleanliness and awarded prizes.

Government must do something about the plight of students

Residents in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the government's seeming reluctance to deal with problems faced by students at tertiary institutions. The complaint came amid reports that students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) were being evicted from examination rooms because of failure to pay tuition fees. In addition to that students on attachment have received notices to the effect that they would not be allowed into the lecture rooms without paying full fees. The callous act by university administrators means that these students cannot be involved in class this term and those who cannot write examinations will have to wait for the whole year before commencing their studies. Residents have suggested that NUST should allow students to write examinations and start classes while resorting to withholding results so that students can get their results when they get money.

BPRA upcoming activities

Ward Consultative Meetings

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