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CITY OF MUTARE MAYOR’S PARLOUR Civic Centre P.O. Box 910, Mutare, Zimbabwe Phone: (020) 64412 Fax: (020) 62656 Email: grange1992@hotmail.com
April 15, 2010
The democratically elected Council of Mutare, representing the residents and stakeholders of the City, is committed to conducting all Council business in a transparent and accountable manner with full public disclosure. In order to maximize development potential, attract donor assistance and partnerships and combat corruption, the Council is seeking to raise funds for an in-depth professional audit of Municipal activities. Council is appealing to stakeholders and other interested parties to assist with financial contributions in order that the activities of Council can be widely scrutinized. Appropriate measures will be taken to correct the lack of accountability that still prevails and which is of concern to Council and residents alike. This objective should be achieved without depriving the City of public funds required for service delivery.
The extent and ultimate success of the audit will depend on the funds raised. As the Mayor of the City, I am appealing to all stakeholders to contribute no matter how small the amount. Every contribution counts. The audit findings will be made public and the full sum raised accounted for in press advertisements and public meetings. A separate bank account has been opened by Kingdom Bank Mutare Branch; City of Mutare Donor Funds Account number 32108563.
Council has resolved to source quotes from at least three professional accounting firms to achieve this end.
The priorities are; a donor funds audit with report to contributing donors, a forensic financial audit of a specific area of concern to Council, an audit of land sales and procedures and a human resources audit. If we can raise US$ 200 000 from this appeal the City will establish a strong platform of reform which will enable Council to serve Residents and Partners with renewed integrity.
Councillor Brian James Mayor City of Mutare
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INTRODUCTION The success of any city/town is the marriage between the residents and their council/councillors. This is now been realised by the High-density residents of Chikanga, Hob-house, Dangamvura and Sakubva, who at the encouragement of their councillors have rallied behind our city fathers, whose call at the beginning of this year was for residents of this city, to take ownership. The councillors and residents; after various meetings decided to be proactive, by embarking on what some have called the “Shandira Mutare Project” or “Clean-up Mutare Operation”. Residents and councillors meet weekly to discuss the problem areas in their communities and the way forward. Areas identified in all wards needing immediate attention were; refuse disposal, cutting of grass, road repairs and toilet repairs. Residents in the different wards then formed smaller committee’s, whose task was to then form teams to undertake the work necessary to get the wards looking respectable again. Tools and equipment such as shovels’ hoes, slashes, hammers etc., have been provided by the residents themselves, furthermore assistance has begun to come in from well wishes, the business community and donor agencies, who have been influenced by the team spirit or residents. Trucks to carry refuse to dump sites are being offered periodically or when available. Residents have also become proactive in the light of our current fuel shortage, by digging pits in the back of their yards and disposing of their waste there instead of dumping it in public areas. It’s not all work, work, and work in these communities. Residents have found there is also a social benefit to coming together and fixing their wards. Some residents have put together Netball teams for the women and Soccer teams for the men. In time it is hoped that teams from different wards will come together in a local tournament and compete against each other. Councillors in the wards that have embarked on Shandira Mutare projects have stated that there is a marked reduction in crime, especially in the area of vandalism. It is believed that the more people take ownership of something, the less likely they are to destroy it or allow someone else to. We have also started to notice activity in the low density wards by proactive individuals cleaning in and around their yards.
DANGAMVURA The first cleanup project began in Dangamvura in earnest in the month of February 2009. Residents are currently meeting weekly with their councillors to give updates and plan the way forward. They then meet daily in smaller committee’s to distribute work and to be accountable. The residents initially began by cleaning up the wards and disposing of the rubbish at the main pit. Upon realising that the main pit would not be able to take all the rubbish being dumped, the residents decided to dig new refuse pits around the different wards. Residents have also begun to dig pits at the back of their homes to dispose of their household rubbish, rather than throwing rubbish on the street corners. Finding this a success, residents ventured into the repair of public toilets during the cholera outbreak, with the assistance and support of Mercy Corp NGO. Committees have now been set-up to man the public toilets with the assistance of Council providing labour for cleaning. The roads are next on the list of things needing immediate attention in Dangamvura. Residents have expressed just as much enthusiasm in the area of filling potholes as they have in refuse disposal and toilet repair. Having seen how successful projects can be if a community works together in unity and one purpose, the residents of Dangamvura, have now begun to understand that together the city will stand, apart it will fall.
SAKUBVA The Shandira project in Sakubva is still in the discussion stages. The Mayor, through well wishers, has distributed memorabilia in the form of Caps and Work T-shirts. Tools such as slashes have also been handed over to the councillors, who are now awaiting the arrival of wheel-barrows and the like to start work. After several meetings, various residents have expressed excitement at being assisted by Council to make their wards more liveable and respectable, until such a time as council can take over their duty of servicing their wards fully. Toilets Currently toilets are being repaired under Mercy Corps. Re-tubing and rewiring is being carried out in Chimoio Flats, Mcgregors flats and NHB. Rented Houses Matida Hostel and various rented house have had their burnt circuits re-wired. HOB HOUSE The Shandira project in Hobhouse is still only in the discussion stage. The Mayor through, well wishers, has distributed memorabilia in the form of Caps and Work t-shirts. Tools such as slashes have also been handed over to the Councillors, who are now awaiting the arrival of wheel-barrows and other much needed tools to start work. After several meetings, various residents have expressed excitement at being assisted by council to make their wards more liveable and respectable, until such a time as Council can take over their duty of servicing their wards fully. CHIKANGA Shandira Mutare has begun work in Chikanga, and is proving to be just as successful as in Dangamvura. Most residents understand and agree that for a period of time, until the Council is able to restore services, it is imperative that the residents start being proactive in and around their wards. Digging pits in strategic areas in and around their wards to bury uncollected refuse has also begun. However they have also realised that it is even better to dig pits in their yards to bury household refuse, instead of throwing it outside on the street. Residents also meet periodically with their councillors as well as daily with each other to discuss the projects and encourage each other. Next on the list of community projects will be the filling of potholes.
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