Over 500 residents in Centenary, Mashonaland Central Province, have petitioned for the removal of Muzarabani Rural District Council (MRDC) Chief Executive Officer Ennie Gachiwa, citing corruption, abuse of office, and gross mismanagement.
Gachiwa, who has led MRDC for over 12 years, was arrested in 2021 by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on charges of criminal abuse of office.
Residents allege that funds allocated for district development have been misappropriated, leading to neglected infrastructure and poor service delivery. They also point to nepotism within the council.
In a petition addressed to the Local Government and Public Works Ministry, copied to relevant authorities, residents expressed a vote of no confidence in Gachiwa and her executive. They highlighted concerns such as:
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- Incompetence and financial mismanagement: The petition criticizes Gachiwa’s leadership, stating a lack of financial and strategic goals, and a failure to meet residents’ needs.
- Budget concerns: Residents expressed concerns over the 2024 budget, alleging that their input was ignored and that key information was misrepresented.
- Lack of development: The petition states that there are no local action plans, growth targets, or development control initiatives under Gachiwa’s leadership.
- Poor service delivery: Residents highlighted concerns about inadequate infrastructure, such as limited streetlights, lack of sewage ponds, and poor sanitation.
Collen Ndudzo, Chairperson of the Centenary Residency Association, confirmed the residents’ dissatisfaction and stated that letters detailing their concerns have been sent to government officials and community leaders. He emphasized the need for accountability and transparency within the council.
Residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from the council regarding their financial concerns. They also raised concerns about alleged corruption within the council, claiming it has deterred potential investors.
Chief Chiweshe Mukorekore of Muzarabani acknowledged the residents’ grievances and emphasized the need for investigation and timely intervention to address the concerns and promote development in the district.