News / National
Kasukuwere challenged to walk the talk on Lupane issue
27 Sep 2017 at 16:02hrs | Views
RESIDENTS have challenged Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere to fulfil his promise to reverse the appointment of non-Ndebele-speaking members as commissioners to the Lupane Local Board (LLB).
Recently, Kasukuwere appointed Lupane State University vice chancellor Pardon Kuipa and Lupane district administrator Enert Sithole as LLB caretakers after the dismissal of Leonard Moyo and Addie Mpofu on charges of maladministration.
After having been petitioned by the Lupane Rural Communities Empowerment Trust (Rucet) over the issue, Kasukuwere later admitted that the appointments were an oversight.
The Lupane residents argue that Ndebele-speaking locals must be appointed to the board as they would have a full appreciation of the community 's culture, tradition and values, as compared to "outsiders".
Rucet coordinator, Vumani Ndlovu, said Kasukuwere must go beyond admitting his error and immediately take action.
"...we believe he must show that he is genuine by taking action to correct the error. We feel an admission of error alone is not enough," he said.
"I don 't think reversal of an appointment has to take forever, he is the master, he has those powers," he said, further noting that while Kasukuwere had the powers, there was need for a wide consultation prior to new appointments.
"Lupane has strong, professional and experienced minds that can drive the development agenda of the town and we are prepared to give the minister a list of such people."
Kasukuwere was, however, unreachable for comment as his mobile went unanswered yesterday.
This comes as Bulawayo-based lobby group Mthwakazi Republic Party last year teamed up with Lupane residents and chased away a non-Ndebele headmistress who had been appointed at Mlamuli Secondary School.
Before that, another school head in the Makuzeze Mangwe District had also been chased away for the same reason, as villagers felt it was one of the major reasons why the Matabeleland region was recording poor pass rates.
Recently, Kasukuwere appointed Lupane State University vice chancellor Pardon Kuipa and Lupane district administrator Enert Sithole as LLB caretakers after the dismissal of Leonard Moyo and Addie Mpofu on charges of maladministration.
After having been petitioned by the Lupane Rural Communities Empowerment Trust (Rucet) over the issue, Kasukuwere later admitted that the appointments were an oversight.
The Lupane residents argue that Ndebele-speaking locals must be appointed to the board as they would have a full appreciation of the community 's culture, tradition and values, as compared to "outsiders".
Rucet coordinator, Vumani Ndlovu, said Kasukuwere must go beyond admitting his error and immediately take action.
"I don 't think reversal of an appointment has to take forever, he is the master, he has those powers," he said, further noting that while Kasukuwere had the powers, there was need for a wide consultation prior to new appointments.
"Lupane has strong, professional and experienced minds that can drive the development agenda of the town and we are prepared to give the minister a list of such people."
Kasukuwere was, however, unreachable for comment as his mobile went unanswered yesterday.
This comes as Bulawayo-based lobby group Mthwakazi Republic Party last year teamed up with Lupane residents and chased away a non-Ndebele headmistress who had been appointed at Mlamuli Secondary School.
Before that, another school head in the Makuzeze Mangwe District had also been chased away for the same reason, as villagers felt it was one of the major reasons why the Matabeleland region was recording poor pass rates.
Source - dailynews
