Bulawayo residents demand answers from their MPs over devolution

BULAWAYO residents are demanding answers from their Parliamentary representatives as to why they have not pushed for the implementation of devolution of power.

In interviews, residents expressed dismay at legislators saying they were mere passengers in the House of Assembly.

Devolution of power is explicitly provided for in the new Constitution under Chapter 14.

It states that whenever appropriate, governmental powers and responsibilities must be devolved to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities which are competent to carry out those responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

A Pumula resident Agnes Maphosa says she did not get a satisfactory answer from one of the MPs upon inquiry about devolution.

"I spoke to one of the MP's about this issue and all he did was to list certain factors such as lack of funding for the implementation of devolution to be pushed further," said Maphosa.

She said she does not understand why the implementation of devolution of power is being prolonged due to the government's delays in funding it.

Another resident, Busisani Siziba said the MP's chosen to represent them are probably clueless in matters that concern them.

"If these MP's knew what they are supposed to be doing then they would invite a minister and have a debate concerning devolution and why it is taking too long to be applied," said Siziba.

Another resident Thembinkosi Ndlovu, said MP's are supposed to know the constitution as it is a guideline as to what devolution is all about.

"These MP's do not know the constitution because if they did, then they would understand what devolution of power is so that they may know how it can be implemented," said Ndlovu.

The residents say the implementation of devolution is long overdue and they would pile pressure on their MPs to have them push the devolution in Parliament.