Bulawayo councillors seek cheaper stands

TWENTY sitting Bulawayo councillors are pushing for a further reduction in the price of residential stands in Mahatshula East before taking up a 40 percent lifetime discount offered to them, arguing that the current price remains unaffordable.

The request comes against the backdrop of Government's longstanding position that local authorities should exercise restraint when awarding perks to councillors and prioritise service delivery amid constrained public finances.

Under Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Circular Number 12 of 2019, councillors are entitled to purchase residential land at a 40 percent discount once during their lifetime.

However, according to a confidential council report, 20 councillors have appealed for a further reduction in the price of 600-square-metre stands in Mahatshula East.

Council policy sets the price of residential land at US$30 per square metre, which would put the cost of a 600-square-metre stand at US$18 000.

The councillors initially appealed for the price to be reduced to US$16 000, a request that was granted before they made a fresh push for the price to be lowered to US$14 000.

If approved, the proposed price would translate to US$8 400 after application of the 40 percent discount — effectively allowing the councillors to acquire the stands for 47 percent of the original US$18 000 price.

The issue generated debate among councillors, with some arguing that the cost should be reduced to make home ownership more attainable for elected officials.

"Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu felt that the pricing of residential stands was very high for an ordinary councillor. The current price per square metre needed to be adjusted downwards for this to be a viable option," the report states.

Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu supported the proposal and called for the total price of the 600-square-metre stands to be set at US$14 000 before the statutory discount.

He argued that councillors played an important role in service delivery and therefore deserved access to residential stands at what he considered a reasonable price.

Councillor Nkosinathi Hove Mpofu also supported the proposal.

The debate also centred on whether the issue should immediately be referred to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for guidance.

Councillor Donaldson Mabuto proposed referring the matter to the ministry, but Councillor Felix Madzana opposed involving the ministry at that stage, arguing that council should first resolve the issue internally before making recommendations.

Councillor Aleck Ndlovu, however, supported submitting recommendations to the ministry, arguing that councillors' remuneration and working conditions were inadequate.

"The remuneration and working conditions for councillors were highly inadequate. It was essential to appraise the Ministry of the inadequate welfare and financial challenges currently faced by councillors," Ndlovu said, according to the report.

Councillor Melisa Mabeza subsequently requested the Mayor's office and Town Clerk to investigate the matter and report back to council.

Mayor David Coltart supported the proposal and asked Mahlangu to provide further information before any decision was made.

According to the report, Coltart said it would be premature to involve the ministry before council had gathered more information and made comparisons.

Council's Valuation and Estates Manager told councillors that the existing US$30 per square metre charge had been set in line with prevailing prices charged by private developers.

The official said council had already responded to the councillors' earlier appeal by reducing the rate from US$30 to US$27 per square metre, bringing the price of a 600-square-metre stand to approximately US$16 000.

"The current charges of US$30 per square metre done by private developers was in line with council policy. Councillors had appealed and it was agreed to revise the charges to US$27 per square metre," the report states.

The Acting Chamber Secretary reportedly cautioned that the issue needed to be handled carefully to avoid perceptions of abuse of office, particularly because the same stand pricing applied to other residents.

The Town Clerk advised councillors that they could submit suggestions and recommendations to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works regarding a possible review of stand prices.

The ministry would then consider the request and provide guidance.

The debate comes as the Government continues to tighten oversight of councillors' conditions of service, with local authorities expected to obtain approval for benefits and allowances and avoid arrangements that could place an additional financial burden on ratepayers.

For the Bulawayo councillors, however, the issue has become a question of affordability, with the elected officials arguing that the cost of residential land remains beyond their reach even after the existing concession.