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Conrad Mupesa-Mash West Bureau 

THE Mashonaland West business community yesterday called on the ruling Zanu PF party to rein in errant local authorities who they said are impending development. 

At a meeting with the Zanu PF leadership in Chinhoyi, the business community said local authorities’ operations should be scrutinised as they are currently ripping off ratepayers. 

Zanu PF, represented by its national political commissar, Cde Mike Bimha, is on a countrywide tour to engage businesses and other stakeholders. 

Yesterday in Chinhoyi, transport operator CAG’s representative, bemoaned how local authorities in the province where 21 of its buses bring in revenue of at least US$12 000 monthly, were failing to upgrade bus termini. 

“We have 21 buses plying routes in Mashonaland West and our buses are contributing revenue to local authorities in the province. To our surprise, after collecting revenue of US$20 from each bus, not even a proper and decent terminus has been constructed by these local authorities. 

“Allow us to stop paying to these councils for three months so that we use the money to construct the termini,” the representative said. 

The deliberations during a frank-talk listening stakeholders meeting, also saw small and medium enterprise players lamenting the high operating licence fees. 

The exorbitant fees, they said, affected the formalisation process of informal businesses. 

They also pleaded with the ruling party to challenge Government departments to implement people-centred party policies. 

A renowned female tobacco farmer, Ms Zandile Maseko, said Government must intervene to protect farmers who are short-changed by contractors and buyers. 

Chinese explosive manufacturing company, JiangShan Civil Explosive Pvt Ltd, general manager, Mr Vengai Mhlanga, bemoaned unfair operating practices amid indications that they are being forced to pay VAT and 40 percent duty for the importation of liquid ammonium nitrate, a raw input used for mining explosives’ manufacturing. 

Other players import finished products from neighbouring South Africa on zero-duty. A hotel operator, who has over 60 years of experience in the industry, Mr James Gumpo, said: “The meeting showed that the party under the Second Republic cares about its people where the party leadership asks people to come and share notes on the state of the economy.” 

Cde Bimha said the ruling party always follows President Mnangagwa’s people-centred vision. 

“Our President said Zimbabwe is open for business and whoever wants to come and do business is most welcome regardless of colour or creed. We have to take advantage of this mantra. 

“The President always says Zimbabwe is built by its people, but in so doing, they are met with various challenges which are sometimes not of your making. This is why we are here,” he said. 

Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, challenged urbanites to vote for the ruling party for their plight to be addressed.