Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | As the Masvingo City Council battles to supply clean water to an estimated 100 000 residents, the local authority has purchased an expensive vehicle for the mayor, much to the disappointment of ratepayers and residents.
Masvingo City Council town clerk, Adolf Gusha, last week confirmed in an interview with the state owned ZBC tv on Saturday, the local authority did not have the capacity to supply the required mega litres of water per day.
Ironically the council has purchased a luxurious Isuzu KB 300 worth $54 000 for Mayor Hubert Fidze, at a time the residents of the anciety city are drinking poorly treated water.
Fidze confirmed the development adding he had already received the vehicle. “It is true that the council bought a vehicle for me and I am already using it for official council business,” he told ZimEye.
Angry residents described the move as reckless and inconsiderate.
Outspoken Masvingo Residents’ Trust leader, Prosper Tiringindi, said although it was noble to purchase cars for council officials, the buying of the posh vehicle was ill-timed.
As a result of prolonged water cuts, local industries have been forced to scale down operations thereby triggering further job losses.
The council is also owed millions of dollars by parastatals and government departments.
The city council also lost property after losing a series of labour disputes invoving former employees.