Newly appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Tafadzwa Muguti, has accused local authorities of misplaced priorities, saying some communities now have more bottle stores and beerhalls than schools, clinics and industries.
He was speaking on Monday morning in Kadoma while addressing town clerks, secretaries and chief executive officers from all 92 local authorities at a Local Government Transformational Workshop.
The meeting was also attended by District Development Coordinators from across the country and senior ministry officials.
Muguti questioned how councils were licensing businesses, singling out the proliferation of bottle stores in residential areas.
“We now have more bottle stores and beerhalls in locations than schools, clinics and industries. We have more people who are intoxicated than occupied in something meaningful,” he said.
“How can a council issue more licences for beerhalls and bottle stores instead of important social amenities?”
He said licensing and development decisions should build productive communities, not fuel social problems.
Muguti also raised concern over the handling of growth points, accusing some rural district councils of allocating unserviced residential stands instead of prioritising infrastructure and economic activity.
“Growth points were meant for economic growth,” he said, warning that the practice runs contrary to the country’s development trajectory.
He challenged councils to rethink their planning and ensure land use supports economic development, social services and better living standards.
Source: Zimbabwe has more bottle stores than schools and clinics – Muguti ⋆ Pindula News
COMMENTS
Interesting but nothing new here. The hideous regime has allowed this rot to persist.The local councils worked very well long back and there was tremendous progress. Then enters the crooks . Instead of moving forward they have moved backwards . No planning zero only scheming on how to steal money from the poor folks. This is happening all over the country. No respite whatsover. Audits should be the order of things every month of all councils and if monies and kpi’s are not met suspend the responsible parties without pay. Boy if I was in charge there would be a complete sacking of many useless people . These useless people along with the regime are totally responsible for the people’s suffering.
Every council must be involved in creating an environment for investment in their areas. Simply travel to an emerging country to see this. Everything is so hard everything. Why!! If we are to have a middle income country by 2030, which is very highly unlikely, then all parties need to rethink everything they are doing now and engage more younger progressive people to lead. Crocidles at the wheel only drown themselves. This is what is happening all over . Power truly does corrupt.