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Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Correspondent

Chitungwiza councillors are in the eye of a storm after defying a Government directive on out-of-pocket allowances and conniving to increase their allowances three- fold.

According to the Urban Councils Act, out-of-pocket allowances for all local authorities in Zimbabwe are set and reviewed by the Government from time to time and negotiations are underway to review them upwards.

The flouting of the law by Chitungwiza councillors comes at a time when the Government late last year reviewed upwards monthly allowances for councillors at the country’s 32 urban centres from $300 to $1 000 per sitting.

MDC councillors, who are the majority in 28 of the 32 urban councils, have been using trips to line their pockets at the expense of service delivery, prompting the Government to bar them from organising or attending workshops or trainings outside their jurisdictions.

Speaking at a recent full council meeting, Chitungwiza Ward 2 councillor Kudakwashe John proposed the increment.

“Travelling allowances for councillors and management should be the same,” he said.

“Our current allowances have been eroded by inflation.”

Out of pocket allowances for all councillors are currently pegged at $10 and the councillors agreed to increase it to $300, without Government approval.

The town’s acting chamber secretary, Mr Raymond Wenyeve, opposed the increment, saying while it was necessary, there was need for Government approval.

“I support that out of pocket allowances should be reviewed upwards, but that decision cannot be made out of a resolution,” he said.

“There is need for a directive from our minister.

“The issue of allowances is a pertinent issue not only for us but for all councils countrywide.

“As Urban Councils of Zimbabwe (UCAZ), we have since written a letter to the ministry and talks are ongoing for upward review of the allowances.”

Acting Town Clerk Tonderai Kasu said councillors should not jump the gun on reviewing out of pocket allowances.

“As management, we are in full support of reviewing of allowances even to match ours, but also take note that when we travel, it will be purely business not that we enjoy travelling a lot,” he said.

“Bear in mind that as councillors, you are our employers, so you can review our allowances but in your case, there is need for Government approval.”