News / Local
'No freedom of the city status to PM Tsvangirai'
29 Apr 2013 at 02:44hrs | Views
THE controversy surrounding the awarding of the Freedom of the City to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai by Bulawayo councillors deepened yesterday with Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo saying it was just a proposal that might not be implemented.
The development had sparked outrage among Bulawayo residents who said Mr Tsvangirai did not deserve the honour because he has not contributed anything to Bulawayo.
Reports say PM Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe and Water Resources Management and Development Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo had been short-listed for the city's prestigious award, which would be granted to one of them this year by the MDC-T dominated council.
The motion was reportedly tabled by Deputy Mayor, Clr Amen Mpofu.
In an interview yesterday Clr Moyo backtracked on his statement on Friday that the reports were not true and said the development was just a proposal.
He castigated residents for their criticism, saying people were allowed to make proposals on any issue before it could be debated.
"It was just a proposal. People are allowed to propose what they want at any forum. I am surprised that no questions are asked when it is some people that are granted such an honour, but when it comes to other people there is so much fuss," said Clr Moyo, without elaborating.
Deputy Mayor Clr Mpofu on Saturday confirmed tabling the motion and said as far he was concerned it still stood and was now going to be heard by the council committee responsible for the granting of civic honours.
He said what was supposed to happen was that the three motions would be discussed by the relevant council committee before being presented during a full council meeting.
However, Bulawayo residents described as an insult the city council's plans, saying the development was an insult that would make the honour lose its lustre.
Social network sites were also awash with comments from Zimbabweans countrywide, saying the move was a ploy by MDC-T councillors to "fatten" their leaders' CVs. They said the MDC-T leadership had deliberately ordered the city council not to grant the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo the award and instead wants to give it to an individual of questionable repute and "bogus" standards.
Some suggested the councillors could have given the honour to local artistes, sportspersons, business people and social icons.
In 1989 President Mugabe was honoured with the award, which was given to the late Father Zimbabwe and Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo in 1992. In 2006 the late Vice-President Cde Joseph Msika was also bestowed with the honour.
The development had sparked outrage among Bulawayo residents who said Mr Tsvangirai did not deserve the honour because he has not contributed anything to Bulawayo.
Reports say PM Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe and Water Resources Management and Development Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo had been short-listed for the city's prestigious award, which would be granted to one of them this year by the MDC-T dominated council.
The motion was reportedly tabled by Deputy Mayor, Clr Amen Mpofu.
In an interview yesterday Clr Moyo backtracked on his statement on Friday that the reports were not true and said the development was just a proposal.
He castigated residents for their criticism, saying people were allowed to make proposals on any issue before it could be debated.
"It was just a proposal. People are allowed to propose what they want at any forum. I am surprised that no questions are asked when it is some people that are granted such an honour, but when it comes to other people there is so much fuss," said Clr Moyo, without elaborating.
Deputy Mayor Clr Mpofu on Saturday confirmed tabling the motion and said as far he was concerned it still stood and was now going to be heard by the council committee responsible for the granting of civic honours.
He said what was supposed to happen was that the three motions would be discussed by the relevant council committee before being presented during a full council meeting.
However, Bulawayo residents described as an insult the city council's plans, saying the development was an insult that would make the honour lose its lustre.
Social network sites were also awash with comments from Zimbabweans countrywide, saying the move was a ploy by MDC-T councillors to "fatten" their leaders' CVs. They said the MDC-T leadership had deliberately ordered the city council not to grant the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo the award and instead wants to give it to an individual of questionable repute and "bogus" standards.
Some suggested the councillors could have given the honour to local artistes, sportspersons, business people and social icons.
In 1989 President Mugabe was honoured with the award, which was given to the late Father Zimbabwe and Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo in 1992. In 2006 the late Vice-President Cde Joseph Msika was also bestowed with the honour.
Source - chronicle
