Incompetent councillors should be shown the exit door

City councils play a pivotal role in the day to day livelihood of the ordinary citizens in any given nation. In urban areas, the services that are offered by municipalities are much needed as they contribute more towards a healthy environment for productive citizens.

However, it is disheartening how some of these local municipalities abuse their offices to the detriment of service delivery. Recently in Masvingo, residents have been accusing the city council of violating their human rights due to poor service delivery. Written reports have it that in recent months, Masvingo residents were actually stunned by the rusty-coloured water that they saw coming out of their taps.

It is telling that most city councils are led by the opposition, MDC-T councilors are in disarray. Truth be told, MDC-T councillors have proved that they cannot properly lead local municipalities. Their incompetence is a clear indication that they are inefficient leaders. It is unfortunate that when MDC-T councillors fails to put their house in order it is the government which is made to clean up the mess.

All city fathers should be encouraged that a healthy city can transform the lives of people positively. It is saddening that in Harare, which is the capital city, water cuts usually take three to four days. At times these water cuts are just made instantly without notifying the residents. Whilst is some areas such as Mabvuku, Tafara, Msasa Park and other areas tap water is a foreign entity that was last had some three (3)  or more years ago. Water is a necessity which must always be available. Failing to provide clean water in cities and towns is a healthy hazard which can attract diseases like cholera and typhoid.

All city councils should try to provide clean-clear water which must be safe to drink. As it stands, people in towns are no longer drinking tape water because it comes out with dirty black particles. Also, when the water is boiled it makes green bubbles which are an indication that the water is not safe for drinking.

Honestly, such poor service delivery is daylight robbery where rate payers are being asked to pay water bills monthly but only to receive such poor service.

MDC-T secretary for local government, Eddie Cross has openly admitted that their party has not been providing its councillors with information that assists them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently. Admission of failure by Cross means, there is really need to consider removing all incompetent councillors and replace them with experienced people. His sentiments are also shared by Harare Mayor, Manyenyeni who last year indicated that service delivery is compromised by illiterate councilors.

From the look of things, most MDC-T led councils have been condemned for poor service delivery, mismanagement and corruption. These local authorities have been misplacing their priorities. In Masvingo, the city council has been fingered for misusing funds. It is reported that the local authority splurged $500 000 on Mazda BT50 vehicles for their senior management. Had it been that the funds were used to repair rusty water pipes, I am sure Masvingo residents could not have been criticizing the service delivery by that local municipality.

Most roads in urban areas are full of potholes that need to be repaired. It is the duty of local authorities to make sure that city roads are well rehabilitated to ensure free and smooth movement of vehicles. Good road infrastructure is a fundamental socio-economic right essential for residents.

Additionally, street and traffic lights are also a cause of concern in the country's major towns. There is certainly need to make sure that traffic lights are all functioning well. Immediate repairing of traffic lights will ensure that road accidents at junctions are reduced significantly.
The local municipalities should also collect refuse regularly as failing to do so a healthy hazard time bomb.

In that view, all local municipalities should be concerned about the people's safety and healthy first at the expense of purchasing luxuries vehicles.

On another note, an audit report on Mutare city council that was presented to the councillors has disclosed corruption and underhand dealings that were taking place at that local authority in previous years. It is believed that the report revealed that the former acting mayor George Jerison, went home with a Mercedes-Benz as part of his exit package in 2013 without approval of the local authority and the responsible ministry. Also, the audit report unearthed a number of ghost workers who appeared on the council's pay roll.

The government through responsible authorities should make efforts to audit all city and rural district councils so as to uproot all corrupt elements in those departments.

 Most MDC-T councillors are being involved in underhand deals as a way of sabotaging government operations. Following that, one would then be made to believe that the desire by MDC-T councillors to disrupt and deliver poor service in their respective cities is deliberate.

Conclusively, fingers might be pointed on this and other problem but the bottom line is that, continuous leadership of local authorities by MDC-T councillors is derailing government operations. Their leadership has proved to be disastrous hence, responsible authorities must be encouraged to quickly intervene and deal with this crisis.