Dear Editor -Villagers in Zaka District under Chief Ndanga have threatened to stop paying development levy due to lack of receipts for previous payments.

Speaking during a COTRAD facilitated community development meeting held in Zaka Central ward 8 at Gwangwava shopping Centre local villagers raised concerns over the failure by traditional leaders to provide receipts to some households who have subscribed their development levy of 3 RTGS dollars per family for the year 2019.

The villagers criticized the traditional leaders for collecting public funds and failing comply with the Rural District Council laws regarding the payment of levies.

The villagers demanded the supporting documents of all payments.

“As villagers we expect public officials to be transparent when dealing with public funds. The public officials must lead by example in fighting corruption, mismanagement of public funds, fraudulent activities, negligence and ineptitude”, said one villager.
COTRAD calls upon public officials to be transparent and accountable to citizen needs and demands.COTRAD

COTRAD also encourages the residents to peacefully engage public officials on social, economic and political concerns in their communities.