News / National
'Elect educated people into office,' says Mugabe
11 May 2013 at 04:20hrs | Views
President Mugabe has urged Zimbabweans to elect educated people into office saying this will spur local and national development.
"In the last election some were chosen because there was need for a certain number and not for quality. We want knowledgeable and educated people" he told the 3rd Biennial Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) conference in Mutare.
Mugabe said local authorities should be honest when they conduct their duties to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
The President said: "As you collect rates and rents, do you recognise that this is people's money which must be used in the interest of the people. Some say I am just helping myself. Helping yourself with other people's money? No we don't allow that.
"If there are people in the township who desire to have building blocks, treat them equally, don't discriminate them on political party basis."
The President also said when coming up with policies there is need to make consultations with elders in the grassroots level in order to maintain the nation's culture.
Mugabe said every policy requires the input of ward, district and provincial leadership for it to be successful.
"There is need for consultation of issues before the passing of laws from top to bottom. There are levels of councillors, local government and lots of consultations need to be done and compete.
"There is need for the recognition of what the policy means, what it aims to achieve and so forh from top to bottom," said President Mugabe.
He also said chiefs should be advised of developments in their communities so that they in turn advise their subjects.
"The implementer of the policy must be a person who carries some dignity and respect, trusted person because there is interaction you have to do with others at grassroots level. You interact with them so there is need for reciprocity, so you trust them and they trust you," he said.
Mugabe reiterated the need for peace ahead of the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Said President Mugabe: "Violence should not have any place in our elections, be it inter or intra parties."
"In the last election some were chosen because there was need for a certain number and not for quality. We want knowledgeable and educated people" he told the 3rd Biennial Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) conference in Mutare.
Mugabe said local authorities should be honest when they conduct their duties to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
The President said: "As you collect rates and rents, do you recognise that this is people's money which must be used in the interest of the people. Some say I am just helping myself. Helping yourself with other people's money? No we don't allow that.
"If there are people in the township who desire to have building blocks, treat them equally, don't discriminate them on political party basis."
The President also said when coming up with policies there is need to make consultations with elders in the grassroots level in order to maintain the nation's culture.
Mugabe said every policy requires the input of ward, district and provincial leadership for it to be successful.
"There is need for consultation of issues before the passing of laws from top to bottom. There are levels of councillors, local government and lots of consultations need to be done and compete.
"There is need for the recognition of what the policy means, what it aims to achieve and so forh from top to bottom," said President Mugabe.
He also said chiefs should be advised of developments in their communities so that they in turn advise their subjects.
"The implementer of the policy must be a person who carries some dignity and respect, trusted person because there is interaction you have to do with others at grassroots level. You interact with them so there is need for reciprocity, so you trust them and they trust you," he said.
Mugabe reiterated the need for peace ahead of the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Said President Mugabe: "Violence should not have any place in our elections, be it inter or intra parties."
Source - news
