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This article participates on the following special index pages:
New Constitution-making process - Index of articles
Residents' Voices - Issue 32
Bulawayo Progressive
Residents Association (BPRA)
September 24, 2010
COPAC
meetings a sham
Bulawayo residents
have been left dumbfounded by this week's COPAC meetings that
have been marked by disorder. The meetings that are being held this
week are those that had been disrupted over the weekend but disappointingly
the disruptions persist. Most residents said that they would rather
order the COPAC teams to adjourn the meetings than have 'bussed'
individuals making coached contributions in the outreach meetings.
Members of civic society that have been observing the outreach process
have noted a number of individuals that have attended several meetings
across the city. Residents have said that these people are taking
a serious process for granted as they fail to realise that this
is an opportunity for everyone to be patriotic and put political
interests aside. To the residents' dismay, some people would
rather toe party lines than make a constitution that will bear the
nation's interests.
Devolution
of Power...a must have in the new constitution
Residents from
across Bulawayo demanded that devolution of power should be ensured
as the country's system of governance. This comes at a time
when citizens note that development and empowerment of most provinces
hinges, ultimately, on the equitable and transparent devolution
of power. Through attaining this system of governance resources
and output generated by each region shall benefit the respective
region as a priority then the remaining 49% should go to the central
government, which should play, mainly, an administrative role.
Residents
disappointed as schools persist to collect incentives fraudulently
Residents at
Cowdray Park are furious and have threatened to take the law into
their hands after reports that a teacher at Tategulu Primary School
in Cowdray Park has requested that her pupils pay the incentives
in advance. The teacher has requested that all her grade four pupils
should each pay $6 at once instead of the monthly $2. This came
as a shock to many parents that have, in the first place, said it
is not their role to pay teachers. Some orphaned children have had
difficulties forking out the hard earned money that teachers continue
to demand from parents and guardians every month. Most residents
have said that pass rates in schools do not tally with the money
that teachers demand moreover, most teachers discriminate those
that delay to pay.
Passport
fees still absurd
Bulawayo residents
have said that despite the 200% slash of passport fees, $50 is still
beyond the reach of many. Considering that a larger number of residents
are employed by the civil service and receive an average salary
of $150 per month, it means that residents will have to forego a
lot just to get a passport. The fee to be paid makes it difficult
for most youths, especially those without vocational training, who
hope to make a living through cross boarder trading. Residents plead
with the responsible authorities to see to it that the process of
getting a passport does not allow for the proliferation of corrupt
tendencies as people jostle to jump the long queues and hasten the
process. Currently, residents spend nights queuing at the passport
office without guarantee that they will be served the next morning.
Of the average five hundred people that queue over night only 150
are selected to have their forms processed on the day. It is alleged
that while queuing at night, some residents have been beaten up
by police officers over unclear accusations. As a result, residents
call upon the police to be custodians of peace not perpetrators
of violence.
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