Sanyati RDC rocked by divisions

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

DIVISIONS have rocked Sanyati Rural District Council after it allegedly adopted its 2025 budget without consulting all stakeholders, including residents, the business community, and some ward councillors.

Laid-down procedures require local authorities to conduct budget consultations in every ward of their jurisdiction prior to approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

Councillor Kudzanai Murungweni of Ward 18 said there was never a review of the current year’s financials as required under stipulated guidelines.

“Council executives came to Ward 18 on September 11 this year to conduct budget consultations. As is the norm in all local authorities, consultations should be preceded by a review of the current financial year.

“However, Sanyati Rural District Council officials came for the consultations without any figures and residents demanded them saying they could not do a forecast for 2025 without reviewing 2024 figures.”

The executives reportedly promised to come back with the figures after consulting the council chief executive, Mr Achim Shadaya, and chairman, Councillor Stan Chaombezvi.

Sanyati Business Association chair, Mr Charles Muzondo, said they were surprised to see media advertisements stating that the budget had been adopted and approved when his constituency was never consulted.

“We were surprised to see in the media that Sanyati Rural District Council had concluded budget consultation. As per procedure, if residents and other stakeholders like businesspeople have grievances around the budget, they are supposed to write to the council chief executive raising objections,” he said.

Clr Murungweni said over 300 residents wrote to him as well as the chief executive, rejecting the budget in its entirety. But a full council meeting took place and endorsed the budget.

Contacted for comment, Clr Chaombezvi said the consultations were done but a few individuals who did not attend the budget consultation were the ones complaining.

“Out of 18 Wards in the district, only one has people who are against the budget and want it to be thrown away. Their rejection is based on political grounds because they are from the opposition party,” he said.

A resident Mr Peter Guni said the 2025 budget was meant for the people but was not made by the people.

“It is an office budget which does not reflect the will of residents, especially ward 18 residents who have a dedicated account in the name of housing account.”

Another resident who declined to be named said the council had built market stalls that had remained vacant because of exorbitant rents.

“This is a clear waste of ratepayers’ money. Without consulting residents, the council bought small solar lamps at exorbitant prices for street lighting and these are not serving any purpose as well.”

Residents have also previously complained about the council’s failure to send monthly bills and collect refuse from business and residential areas.