A five-member commission appointed by Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere to look into Beitbridge’s application for municipality status on Tuesday held several interviews with stakeholders and residents in the border town.
BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
Chairperson of the commission and principal director in the Local Government ministry, Erica Jones, invited residents to show why Beitbridge should be accorded municipal status.
Her panel also asked whether the existing council had the capacity to manage municipal affairs.
Scores of residents gave evidence to the commission, which later split into two with others touring the town to look at its infrastructure.
Most residents are of the view that if Beitbridge was given municipal status it would improve its service delivery. Close to 4 000 houses in Beitbridge do not have water or sewer reticulation, while the road network is in dire need of upgrading.
“A municipality will have more borrowing powers, it can initiate projects and will have autonomy to manage its affairs,” David Mbedzi of Dulivhadzimo said.
The panel is expected to get evidence from local legislators Metrine Mudau and Kembo and Tambudzani Mohadi. They are also expected to interview Aaron Maboyi Ncube before meeting town council management and officials from a rural district council with offices in town.
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In its application, Beitbridge included its good rail and road network, direct links with Sadc countries through the Beitbridge port, a huge water treatment plant, 10 filling stations among other reasons as reflections of growth.
It is home to a border post handling more than 3 000 and up to 20 000 visitors daily on its peak.
With a population of 50 000 people, the town has five commercial out of its eight banks and building societies.
Jones, who presided over the commission, which recommended Beitbridge’s migration from a town board to a full town status said her commission could only recommend but not influence the decision.
