Bulawayo residents and Chombo to clash over special interest councillors

Special Interest Councillors to be appointed by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Ignatius Chombo in Bulawayo are set to be rejected by residents.

The combative Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has said residents were not consulting.

Programmes and Advocacy Manager Emmanuel Ndlovu said "BPRA believes that if special interest councillors are to be appointed, this must be done in line with the special needs of the city and representing vulnerable groups in our society like the physically challenged, women, youths, and HIV/AIDS orphans amongst others,"

He added "Moreover, Chombo must recall that the first set of special interest councillors where rejected by the residents of Bulawayo because of imposition. It would thus be folly for him to use the same methods as before and expect a different result,".

Chombo is set to appoint eight special interest councillors for the municipality.

The council in 2010 rejected Chombo's move to appoint special interest councillors saying this would disturb the day-to-day running of council business.