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Blessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Kadoma City Council risks losing its city status due to a marked decline in service delivery standards.

Kadoma, the only city in Mashonaland West province, has over the years become an eyesore, amid reports that other towns in the province like Chinhoyi were now offering better service.

The city, which held its centenary celebrations two years ago, is facing a myriad of challenges such as erratic water supplies, uncollected garbage, and poor water and sewer reticulation systems.

Speaking during a meeting of Sanyati District Government heads in Kadoma recently, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka challenged the council to restore Kadoma to its past glory.

“If the truth is to be told, Kadoma has deteriorated, it is no longer that ‘city’. People are actually surprised that it is a city,” she said. “When people lobbied for a city status, it was because they saw wealth in the area. It is time to dig deep and start to relook at Kadoma with fresh eyes.”

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka challenged authorities to look for ways to ensure the city retained its status.

“Chinhoyi is definitely better than Kadoma now and all the little cities which are coming up, yet you are the only city in the whole province,” she said.

Singling out Rimuka, Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said:  “It used to be a marvel, but now it is something else. One is now actually afraid to visit the area because he or she will end up trampling on sewage. Sort it out. Councillors you have a big task to sort out the mess, let us put politics aside and develop Kadoma.”