Gwanda Councillors in embarrassing row over cheer fund donations

Municipality of Gwanda newly elected councillors on Friday night embarrassed them self in front of residents and stakeholders as they argued on how much off their December allowances they should donate to the Mayor's Christmas Cheer Fund.

At a function hosted by the mayor at the council chambers, councillor for ward 4 Mduduzi Malaba Ncube, took to the podium and told the gathering that the councillors had agreed to donate 50% of their allowances to the cheer fund. His statement appeared to be shocking the other councillors who immediately took turns to go on the podium and disassociate themself with the pledge from their colleague. First up was councillor Wilson Dube from Ward 8 who openly expressed to the residents that he cannot donate his allowance as he needed it to sustain his family. As you can see, I put a pledge of $2 on my pledge form and that's what I can afford" said Councillor Dube. "I cannot part with any part of my allowance as I need it to sustain my family" he added with laughter from the audience.

Councillor Thulani Moyo of ward 9 also added to the dispute by refusing to give his 50% as he claimed he had already donated his to Senondo Primary School in his ward. The other councillors completely laughed off Malaba's proposal prompting him to go back to the podium and castigate the councillors in front of the audience. "I don't understand why you are refusing to do this. I guess I am playing for the wrong team here. I am playing for Highlanders while the rest of you are playing for Dynamos" said Malaba. The Gwanda Municipal Councillors get an allowance of $270 per month.

The drama by the councillors took the residents and stakeholders by surprise as it spoilt a generally well organised though lowly attended function. One of the residents who attended the function and refused to be named castigated the councillors for their behaviour. "The councillors should have met at the chamber prior the public function and agreed on what they exactly want than come and appear like clowns in front of the people" said the resident. "The councillors showed us a great level of immaturity tonight. They really did not accord this very civic function the respect and dignity it deserves" added the senior resident. "Some came dressed informally and visibly drunk and some were walking in and out of the function as if it didn't matter to them. They need serious orientation."

Speaking at the function the Mayor Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu urged Gwanda residents to give generously to the worthy cause for the less privileged of the community. The target for the town's cheer fund for this year is $5000. At the launch $1 500 in cash and about $500 worth of groceries was raised. The cheer fund dinner dance where all pledges and donations will be presented has been set for the 29th of November.