GWERU residents have been urged not to focus on politics during council’s consultations for next year’s budget, but to broaden their scope on developmental issues.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director Cornelia Selipiwe says service delivery issues affect everyone regardless of their political affiliation.
“We know as residents you belong to different political parties, but as we go to consultation meetings in our various wards for the 2025 budget, let us concentrate on developmental issues,” Selipiwe said during the GURRA meeting on enhancing citizen participation in governance processes.
“When the council adopts the budget it does not matter whether you belong to Zanu PF, CCC [Citizens Coalition for Change] or MDC. If you have not contributed to key service delivery issues you will be affected.”
Selipiwe said high water bills, poor roads, lack of adequate educational and health facilities, among others, were key service deliverables which transcended political boundaries.
A senior citizen, Thomas Takawira, said residents should be aware of their rights so that they actively participate in budget processes.
Activist Florence Guzha urged women to take part in governance processes so that their voices could be heard.
“There is nothing for us without us as women in the budget formulation process,” she said.
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“Moreover, it is us women who are most affected by service delivery issues like water provision, waste management and inadequate clinics among others.”
In their position paper on the 2025 budget consultations, GRRA urged the council to livestream the 2025 pre-budget meeting proceedings to increase transparency.
“People’s needs must be responded to within a reasonable time, and the public must be encouraged to participate in policy-making,” GRRA said, citing section 194 of the Constitution.
“Citizen participation and local democracy empower people to be active in the decision-making processes affecting their lives.”
The residents called on the council to provide clear information on tariffs, income and expenditure as well as a budget strategy paper for the 2025 draft budget to help them make informed decisions.
They also requested that council advertises budget consultations at least two weeks in advance, using both offline and online platforms, to boost turnout.
