CHITUNGWIZA mayor Rosaria Mangoma and her management team are under fire amid growing calls for the local authority to uphold principles of accountability and transparency in the administration of public resources.
The controversy centres on council’s decision to purchase a top-of-the-range mayoral vehicle reportedly worth US$147 000, at a time when the cash-strapped municipality is struggling with poor service delivery, unpaid workers and a crumbling road network — sparking outrage among residents and civic groups.
Council recently procured the vehicle for Mangoma, prompting residents and civic organisations to question the timing, cost and priorities of the municipality.
While some residents acknowledged that the mayor’s office is entitled to an official vehicle, they argued that the model purchased was excessive and ill-suited for council use, particularly given Chitungwiza’s severely dilapidated roads and fragile financial position.
The issue came to the fore during a full council meeting held at the Chitungwiza Municipality chambers, where ward 16 councillor Micheal Mukazhi challenged Mangoma over what he described as silence from the mayor’s office regarding residents’ concerns.
He said residents wanted to know why council decided to acquire a top-of-the range vehicle citing poor service delivery and the municipality’s failure to pay workers.
“There is an issue received with great concern from the residents and stakeholders for the past weeks in Chitungwiza and I was thinking that on your announcements or town clerk we can hear an update on the mayor’s vehicle,” Mukazhi said as he requested the matter to be put on the agenda.
“This is a public institution we expect announcements and accountability; we are very worried with the quietness on your side, mayor. When residents ask questions councillors must respond with one voice and not whispers.”
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In response, Mangoma said the matter was not included on the agenda.
She maintained that due process was followed in procuring the vehicle.
She added: “Also all processes were done correctly starting from GPS committee, the resolution committee and the mayor’s vehicle has Cabinet authority,” Mangoma said.
She added that the city’s public relations officer, Tafadzwa Kachiko, would communicate further details to residents.
