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Centre News Hub
Masvingo City Council has buckled to pressure from vibrant residents association, Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) which had petitioned Council over the abnormal exchange rate.
Council hastily organised an engagement meeting with MURRA on October 31 to map the way forward after Centre News had published about the petition sent to the Town Clerk.
The local authority pledged two weeks to respond on the outcome of the deliberations.
MURRA Board Chairperson, Thomas Mbetu, said he is pleased to inform residents that MURRA successfully engaged the council management on the matter.
“The meeting included the Town clerk, Chamber secretary, Finance Manager, and his deputy and a few residents. We had a robust discussion, firmly presenting the community’s request for a reduction in the exchange rates. Following our engagement, the council has requested a period of two weeks to conduct their own internal consultations. They have committed to providing us with a formal response at that time.” said Mbetu.
Mbetu said he is hopeful for a positive outcome that addresses the concerns raised and acknowledged residents for their trust, resilience and support towards the organisation’s work.
However some residents were not amused by the council decision to do internal consultations in two weeks.
“What other consultations do they still need to do, they have heard our sentiments, the residents have spoken they must simply back down and eat a humble pie to reduce the rate, this is just another delaying tactic,” said Tatenda Mugabe from Runyararo west.
Other residents shared the same feelings on MURRA Watsapp group were the message was conveyed, arguing that the period of consultation is a bit long and many residents will continue to using the exorbitant rate to settle their bills.
Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo Town Clerk, Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa and other officials from Masvingo City Council were fruitless as they had not responded to questions sent to them by the time of going to print.
The rate which is a little bit above 34 against ZIG is above the official bank rate and the illegal black market proportion.
