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Poor service delivery, lack of transparency cost Hwange residents:GWRT

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BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI 

Hwange residents have complained about poor service delivery by the Hwange Local Board (HLB) , especially public toilets which are a health hazard.

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Hwange and Victoria Falls are the only urban areas in Matabeleland North.

In a statement, Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT) said residents are worried about poor service and lack of transparency in the local authority.

“Greater Whange Residents Trust has noted with concern the deterioration of service delivery both in Hwange Local Board and concession areas in 2022, notably in Empumalanga West and public toilets,” said GWRT.

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Hwange town is administered by various authorities including HLB which presides over Empumalanga, Chibondo and Baobab areas, Hwange Colliery which administers all concession areas covering Number 1, 2, 3 and 5,

National Railways of Zimbabwe that oversees Railways and Nguminja areas as well as Zimbabwe Power Company whose area of jurisdiction covers suburbs around the power station.

There are plans to integrate all the areas into one local authority under HLB which is set to become a town.

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However, it is the old dysfunctional public toilets in the concession areas that have irked residents.

Each public toilet is shared by not less than 100 people and hardly has running water as residents use the bucket system.

The Railways section has been without water and electricity for several months on end.

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Residents fear they might be exposed to diseases.

Roads are also in a sorry state.

GWRT chairman Brian Chikumbo said the issue of toilets is a cause for concern.

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“Public toilets are a challenge in the concession areas that are under Hwange Colliery while the HLB has been failing on servicing land for people to start building houses in Empumalanga,” he said.

He said a majority of the homeseekers had paid to the council for housing stands but still cannot access them to start building.

“In Empumalanga it is of great concern that it has taken a long time for progress to happen. People are not allowed to build and the reasons being cited being that the place is not yet ready according to

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Government regulations.

“The local authority has to be honest and come forward to tell people what really needs to be done. We need transparency to highlight what is exactly hindering progress, ”he said.

Chikumbo said surprisingly, there are some that have built houses and blamed this on corruption.

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Hwange

Hwange Local Board impounds cattle: Owners urged to claim animals

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Hwange Local Board is urging livestock farmers to come forward and claim their cattle that were impounded by Council Police last week.

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According to a notice issued by Acting Town Secretary Paul  Mabhureni, the 10 animals have been unclaimed for over a week and are currently being held at the impound yard.

Farmers with missing cattle are advised to visit the Hwange Local Board offices to identify and claim their animals.

A daily fee will be charged for each impounded animal, and if the animals remain unclaimed after a month, the Council will auction them off .

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The Hwange Local Board is also warning livestock owners to take responsibility for managing and controlling the movement of their animals to prevent them from encroaching into residential areas.

Council Police have increased patrols to reduce the presence of stray animals in these areas.

Residents are encouraged to report any stray livestock to the Council immediately.

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Hwange

Victoria Falls City Council meeting aborted due to lack of quorum

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A full council meeting scheduled to take place at the Victoria Falls City Council today was aborted due to a lack of quorum.

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The meeting, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, was fast forward to today in the wake of reports of confusion at Town House.

The meeting was called to discuss the suspension of Town Clerk Ronnie Dube who was suspended two weeks ago on corruption allegations.

It was further reported that it was also to rescind the  Housing Director Brian Nyamande.

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However, only five councillors attended, falling short of the required six to form a quorum.

According to Mayor Tuso Moyo, the meeting was urgent, but the lack of quorum prevented any progress.

However, residents’ associations disputed this agenda, stating that the meeting was against the will of the residents and that they were expecting it to take place on Thursday.

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Hwange District Residents Association and Victoria Falls Combined Residents’ Association representatives and a few residents were gathered outside the boardroom, awaiting the outcome of the meeting.

The suspension of Dube has sparked controversy, with many calling for transparency and accountability.

The aborted meeting has only added to the uncertainty, leaving many questions unanswered, HWANDRA chair, Hebert Ncube said after the meeting.

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“We also gather that the minister, Daniel Garwe, has summoned the two and the mayor, deputy mayor to Harare tomorrow where they just came from again last week. There is so much pressure to rescind the suspension of Dube, but we are saying, he should come here and talk to the people and let justice handle this, then he can be rescinded.”

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Hwange

Hwange Local Board cracks down on overdue license fees

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

The Hwange Local Board has issued a stern warning to business owners with overdue license fees, stating that trading licenses for the 2025 license year will not be renewed for commercial properties with outstanding accounts.

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According to a notice issued by Acting Town Secretary Mr. Paul Mabhureni, “Hwange Local Board would like to advise the business community that we will not renew trading licenses for the license year 2025 to all commercial properties whose accounts are in arrears.”

The notice further states that “The Business License Renewal period for the license year 2025 commenced in November 2024 and ends on 31 December 2024.”

Additionally, the notice reminds business owners that, “In terms of the Shop Licences Act Chapter 14.17, no person shall in any shop, store or other fixed place of business, carry on the trade or business of selling or letting for hire any goods except in terms of a shop licence.”

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Business owners who fail to renew their licenses within the stipulated timeframe will face penalties, including a fine of one-twelfth of the appropriate license fee for each month or part thereof that has elapsed since their liability arose.

The notice concludes by advising business owners to ensure that their premises are inspected prior to renewing their trading licenses, and urging cooperation in settling outstanding accounts to avoid disruptions to their operations.

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