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
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