$38,000 mayoral mansion curtains cause a stink

The decision by council to spend $38 000 on curtains for the mayoral mansion in Kopje, Gweru, has created an uproar among Gweru residents who are calling for council to rescind its decision and prioritise service delivery.

A special council meeting held on Wednesday has resolved to put on hold the curtaining of the mansion.

The decision by Gweru City Council to renovate the 20-roomed mayoral mansion in Kopje, Gweru, and spend US$38 000 on new curtains for the house before the new Town Clerk Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza moves in has caused a uproar among Gweru residents  who are seething with anger accusing the local authority of misplaced priorities.

Chairperson of the Gweru Residents Association Mr Cornilious Seliphiwe said the residents will not allow a cash strapped local authority which is failing to rehabilitate roads and provide decent service delivery to spend such a huge amount on curtaining.

Ms Gwatipedza said the purchase of curtains are part of the on-going renovation process at the mansion which has been lying idle since 2008 after the expiry of former executive mayor Mr Sesel Zvidzai's term of office.

"If the mansion cannot be maintained by council then a decision has to be made to either sell or lease the mansion," said the town clerk.

Gweru Mayor Mr Charles Chikozho added his voice accusing the residents association of wanting to incite the rate payers to boycott paying rates when the decision to purchase curtains was done above board.

He urged aggrieved residents to engage the local authority.

Meanwhile, a special council meeting held on Wednesday afternoon resolved to put the purchasing of curtains on hold until further notice.