COMMUNITY Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) community structures in Masvingo have written to public officials, including Members of Parliament and councillors, demanding answers about the utilisation of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and ploughback funds.
The letters, signed by 10 COTRAD community structures from different wards, highlighted the priorities of the community and demanded action on pressing developmental challenges.
In the joint letter of complaint, locals said, despite promises from elected leaders, they were struggling with dusty roads stretching for miles, water challenges and lack of social amenities.
Ephraim Mundau, a member of the COTRAD Action for Accountability Group ward 18, Zaka, expressed frustration over the challenges they continue to face.
“The CDF and ploughback funds should be allocated to the priorities that we set as a community,” Mundau said.
CDF was established by the government to devolve resources to constituencies for development.
However, in Masvingo province, CDF has failed to live up to its promise, the locals said.
“Our bridges had been destroyed by rains as well as roads, hence there is need for CDF to construct them,” Mercy Muziri, a resident of Zaka ward 19, said.
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“The council promised to drill boreholes using devolution funds, but up to now, nothing has materialised. That is why we decided to write to them. Maybe they will realise that we are serious about it.”
In Masvingo Central ward 16, Malvin Maburuse echoed similar sentiments.
“The CDF should prioritise road rehabilitation as we are struggling with poor a road network such as Chatikobo and Chisiya roads,” he said.
“There is no development in our communities and the MP and councillors do not consult us on what they can do with the CDF and ploughback money.”
The situation is no better in Chiredzi Rural District Council ward 13 where John Ndingwa expressed frustration in letters over empty promises made by leaders.
“We are tired of empty promises made by MPs and councillors,” he said.
Apex Samboko from Chiredzi ward 28 shared similar concerns.
“There are no clinics in our communities and lack of access to water is a major problem,” he said.
“We drink water from the canal due to lack of adequate water. There are even conflicts between Tongaat Hulletts Company and residents because the company does not want us to use water from the canal.”
CDF is given to National Assembly members to carry out developmental projects in their constituencies as deliberate efforts by government to develop communities.
