Bulawayo councillors demand iPads, tablets

BULAWAYO City councillors are demanding that the local authority purchase iPads and tablets for them although a majority have conceded that they have no knowledge on the use of laptops they were given two years ago.

The revelations emerged last week when councillors vehemently resisted a move by the local authority to phase out use of hard copy monthly council minutes in favour of soft copy formats with councillors noting that a majority of them were still technophobic despite having computers for the past two years.

Technophobia is defined by the free online dictionary as fear of or aversion to technology, especially computers and high technology. The motion was tabled by the chamber secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou.

Ironically the councillors, while resisting this move went to call for the local authority to purchase tablets or iPads for them arguing that their laptops were now cumbersome.

"Councillor Siboniso Khumalo reported verbally on this matter. He spoke strongly against the notices currently being circulated by the chamber secretary to the effect that hard copies of committee and council agenda were being phased in favour of soft copies.

"He felt there was a need for extensive training as some councillors were still not knowledgeable on the use of their laptops. Also the laptops that were issued to councillors more than two years ago, were now cumbersome and council should consider replacing these with tablets or iPads," reads part of the minutes.

During the debate some councillors even suggested that council officials should limit the use of soft copy formats to committee meetings, which are closed to the public to avoid possible embarrassment during the open full council minutes.

"I am not against the phasing out of hard copies as this is a progressive move. I, however, feel that the use of information technology should be limited to the committee room at this stage to avoid possible embarrassment in open council," said Ward 23 councillor, Thobani Ncube.

The laptops were issued to councillors in 2013 as a sequel to the introduction of the e-agenda, the aim at the time was to eliminate paper, enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Commenting on the matter, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere said while he was not aware of the demands, councils must know that their core responsibility was on service delivery.

"It will honestly not be fair to residents if councillors use ratepayers' money to purchase luxuries such as iPads and tablets, this has no bearing towards service delivery at all," said Minister Kasukuwere.

Bulawayo United Resident Association (Bura) chairperson Mr Winos Dube said it did not make sense for councillors to demand these gadgets noting that there were a lot of things that need to be done in the city.

"Yes, we note that they are doing a good job in terms of service delivery but this is certainly not the time for them to be purchasing such gadgets for themselves. I am sure that if they set their priorities straight these gadgets should be at the bottom of the list. As residents we don't want a scenario where we watch while they abuse our monies. They occupy those offices just to oversee service delivery, this is one thing they should always have in mind," said Mr Dube.

When the councillors were issued with the laptops in 2013 they became an immediate laughing stock during a full council meeting when a majority of them seemingly struggled to use the gadgets, giving a council IT expert a hard time as he had to move around the room assisting the councillors.

Before the laptops were purchased a fight almost broke out during a closed door council meeting when the councillors demanded laptops from management. They demanded to know why officials had not given them 29 laptops that were reportedly long bought for councillors in 2010.