Mnangagwa to engage Bulawayo residents

VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is due visit Bulawayo next week on a re-arranged consultative meeting with residents at Large City Hall.

The visit was originally set for early this year, but Mnangagwa was forced to cancel it after he angered Matabeleland community over his remarks insinuating that the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo was a "sell-out".

In an interview with New African magazine, Mnangagwa said Nkomo had lost the 1980 elections because he had a soft spot for whites, remarks that were  widely condemned and deepened fissures within Zanu PF.

Civil society groups threatened to boycott and he chickened out.

However, Mnangagwa has now gathered enough courage to face Bulawayo residents.

According to a latest council report, Mnangagwa plan to engage residents Thursday next week.

Reads part of the report "The Acting Town Clerk had reported (19th August, 2016) that the following request (17/8/16) had been received from the Provincial Administrator, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

"The above subject refers. The Vice President E. D Mnangagwa who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs intends to conduct a Consultative Visit in Bulawayo on the 15th of September 2016.

"This is in keeping with section 7 of the Constitution which mandates the Ministry to carry out Constitution Public awareness consultations.

"It is against this background that we are kindly requesting for the use of the Large City Hall on this date from 9a.m to 2 p.m."

However, Mnangagwa will net get the venue for free.

Said council "The assumption was that the request was for free use of this facility. The normal hire charge for the use of the Large City Hall for the duration requested was $1578.72 (inclusive of a 50% refundable deposit and 15% Vat).

"It was noted during ensuing debate that the request was probably for free use of the large City Hall for a campaign on Constitution awareness. However Council was financially stressed and could not afford to offer its facilities for free all the time. Besides, the Ministry concerned had a budgetary provision for its activities such as this one. The view after debate was that the Ministry be offered 75% rebate on the normal hire charge- that is pay 25%".