DISGRUNTLED Mutare residents have formed a splinter representative body — United Mutare Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (UMRRA) — to broaden their advocacy on matters of service delivery.
BY OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
UMRRA spokesperson David Mutambirwa told NewsDay over the weekend that the new association drew its membership from other residents’ associations and pressure groups who are disgruntled over the way their concerns were being handled.
“We comprise of different people and organisations from all walks of life for example the Mutare Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, artists, vendors, youths and women organisations as well as representatives of the unemployed who came together to form UMRRA,” Mutambirwa said.
“The drive for this initiative comes from the desire to fill the vacuum that was created when we were fragmented. Our mission is to be a representational platform advocating for developmental interests of Mutare residents without discrimination so as to provide a credible, people-centred platform to enable residents to participate in decision-making processes for the sustainable development of our city.”
He added that as an organisation they would lobby for the review of the scale of salaries given to council workers and demand an audit of council books.
The cash-strapped Mutare City Council has been struggling to pay its workers as well as maintaining desirable standards for the city amid allegations of misappropriation of funds.
