Back to Index

Residents' Voices - Issue 43
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
February 07, 2011

Residents dismayed by levy increase

Residents of Magwegwe suburb have expressed dismay after authorities at Mthimkulu Primary School unilaterally raised school levies for the purposes of subsidising teachers' salaries. According to residents with children at the school the headmaster called a meeting where he advised parents that levies would be increased from $14 to $20 dollars. He told the parents that the money was meant to cushion teachers who are earning untenable salaries. Residents said they were shocked by the development as most parents were already having trouble paying the levies with numerous children facing expulsion for non-payment. They described the increase in levies as 'daylight robbery' amid revelations that the headmaster of the school will be getting a dollar as part of his incentive from the levies paid by each student - an outrageous amount considering the enrolment at the school. The issue of incentives continues to pose a threat to Zimbabwe's education sector as most parents are unable to comply due to high unemployment and low remuneration. Meanwhile, the ministry of education insists that incentives will not be scrapped until teachers are earning viable salaries.

Residents call for accountability in local governance

Residents in Bulawayo have called for Members of Parliament in the city and the country at large to be called to account for the money they received under the Constitutional Development Fund. This comes as Bulawayo residents allege that Members of Parliament did not consult with them after receiving the money hence residents do not know how it was spent. Across Bulawayo, residents have raised concerns that their Members of Parliament, Senators and Councillors are invisible during their terms of office, but suddenly reappear when campaigning for the next elections begin. This has raised concerns that most politicians in the city enter political offices for self aggrandisement rather than to advance the interests of the residents. In light of this, BPRA is calling for the increased scrutiny of Members of Parliament, Senators and Councillors to help entrench a culture of transparency and democracy not only in Bulawayo but in Zimbabwe as a whole.

Residents concerned by lack of infrastructure

Nkulumane residents have rebuked the government for failure to complete the construction of Mncumbatha Secondary School. The school was opened two years ago. Despite lack of proper infrastructure the school enrolled another stream of form ones at the beginning of this academic year. To the residents' dismay the students have to walk long distances to annex schools where hot-sitting is practiced so as to accommodate extra students. Residents are calling on the relevant authorities to see to the construction of classrooms and proper sanitation facilities. It has been said that this is a clear sign that education is not a priority in the country. Schools are operated like business ventures as school authorities now pay more attention to milking residents of their hard earned cash at the expense of empowering children with knowledge.

Residents bemoan police behaviour

Commuters in Bulawayo have again expressed displeasure with the conduct of police officers. This comes as commuters continue to bear the brunt in the continued war between the traffic police and commuter omnibus operators. Residents have complained that of late, police officers all seem to be more concerned about traffic offences, ignoring other crimes. It has been alleged that police officers solicit for bribes from commuter omnibus operators in full view of commuters. Due to this, commuter omnibus operators are operating vehicles that are not roadworthy confident that they will get away with it due to the culture of bribing. This is putting the lives of commuters at risk. Further to this, traffic operators are taking longer routes to avoid roadblocks, inconveniencing commuters in the process.

In the same vein, commuter omnibus operators have raised concerns that the spot fines they are made to pay are too expensive considering the profits they make. The traffic police officers that mount road blocks and those that patrol the city haunt commuter operators charging them exorbitant spot fines of up to $80 when they make between $80 and $100 a day. This scenario is forcing kombi drivers to over speed in a bid to escape, putting the lives of residents at risk.

Visit the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP