KWEKWE councillor Weston Masiya last Thursday mocked mayor Shadreck Tobaiwa, equating him to the Biblical Egyptian ruler Pharaoh, after he forced the local authority to approve the 2013 budget without seeking residents’ input.
Report By BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER
Masiya accused Tobaiwa of rushing to advertise the council’s proposed $26,3 million budget despite objections from several other councillors.
“This council will not get to Canaan if we have a Pharaoh waging a war in our midst. You are trying to stifle debate and force us into adopting a budget statement which has been irregularly put before council. You are acting like a Pharaoh,” Masiya said.
Tobaiwa, however, hit back and accused Masiya and councillor Aaron Gwalazimba of playing to the gallery.
Town clerk Emmanuel Musara had to intervene and urged unity of purpose among the councillors, whose brawl took the glitz out of the budget presentation in full council.
Presenting the proposed budget to full council, finance committee chairperson Queenly Chitopo said rates and tariffs would remain unchanged for the third straight year, although collections will increase from $21,5 million to $26,3 million due to new streams of revenue.
“This is attributed to the anticipated new billing system and the revamping of the property valuation roll. New ratepayers are also expected to be taken on board,” she said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The local authority’s wage bill is expected to increase from $5,9 million to $7,75 million due to anticipated salary increments and other labour costs.
“We have made the adjustments in line with central government’s promise of a salary and wage bills to civil servants in 2013, this could force us to review our salaries,” Chitopo said.
After the lengthy brawl during which some councillors urged Chitopo’s budget to be disregarded on a technicality, the full council adopted the motion, paving way for the budget to be presented to the Local Government, Rural and Urban Development minister.
