Residents slam municipality over luxury vehicle purchases

Residents of Gwanda have voiced strong objections to the Municipality's recent move to procure top-of-the-range vehicles for senior management, describing the decision as a stark example of misplaced priorities at a time when basic services in the town are in disrepair.

The local authority recently advertised a tender to purchase six vehicles, including three luxury models earmarked for top executives. The proposed acquisitions include a minibus, two single-cab service vehicles, and three high-end 4x4 vehicles - two Toyota Fortuners and a Toyota Hilux.

The Gwanda Progressive Residents Association (GPRA), in a letter addressed to Town Clerk Priscillar Nkala, described the move as insensitive to the community's plight. GPRA chairperson Collet Moyo said residents are grappling with persistent issues including a dysfunctional sewer system, a poorly located dumpsite, chronic water supply problems, unpaid staff salaries, and a lack of emergency services.

"GPRA is concerned about the Municipality of Gwanda's decision to tender for six vehicles at a time when serious service delivery challenges persist," the letter read. "We strongly advise limiting the procurement to just two administrative vehicles instead of six to reduce travel expenses and redirect resources to urgent needs."

In her response, Ms Nkala defended the tender process, stating that the purchase had received Cabinet Authority, which dictates the specifications for vehicles used by government departments and local authorities. She emphasized that the vehicles would be bought in phases based on budget availability.

"Management vehicles are part of service delivery, and the standard cannot be lowered in Gwanda simply because of negative perceptions within the community," said Nkala. "We value service delivery and stakeholder input, and we encourage further engagement on this matter."

When contacted for further clarification, Ms Nkala reiterated that the procurement would not be a one-time expenditure but would be spread throughout the year depending on available funds. She also stressed that vehicles for senior officials are part of employment conditions and necessary for effective operations.

However, GPRA secretary-general Methuseli Moyo dismissed the justifications, arguing that the local authority had failed to address long-standing infrastructure and welfare issues in the town.

"It has been seven years without a functioning sewage treatment plant. Our dumpsite is in a residential area, exposing people to health risks. Workers haven't been paid, there's no ambulance, and street lights are non-existent," he said. "We're simply asking the council to prioritise what matters most to the community."

The row over the vehicle tender has sparked broader debate about transparency and accountability within local governance structures, with residents demanding a reorientation of municipal priorities toward tangible improvements in their daily lives.