Bulawayo residents yesterday threatened to reject the imposition of special interest councillors if Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo does not involve them in the selection of candidates.
Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) advocacy manager Emmanuel Ndlovu said residents were not happy with the secretive manner in which the matter was being handled.
“BPRA believes that if special interest councillors are to be appointed, this must be done in line with the special needs of the city and representing vulnerable groups in our society like the physically challenged, women, youths, and HIV and Aids orphans, among others,” Ndlovu said.
Chombo recently disclosed plans to appoint eight special interest councillors for Bulawayo were at an advanced stage.
Bulawayo is one of the few local authorities that have frustrated the minister’s plans to hand pick a quota of councillors.
“Moreover, minister Chombo must recall that the first set of special interest councillors were rejected by the residents of Bulawayo because of imposition,” Ndlovu said.
“It would thus be folly for him to use the same methods as before and expect a different result.”
Ndlovu said BPRA was bitter the minister had not bothered to consult the residents as key stakeholders.
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The MDC formations have accused Chombo of using the provision on special interest councillors to dilute MDC-led urban councils by appointing Zanu PF functionaries.
The act gives the minister a special dispensation to appoint special interest councillors up to 25% of the democratically-elected councillors.
In Matobo, villagers took Chombo to court challenging his choice of special councillors whom they said were Zanu PF activists.
