By Patience Gondo
BEITBRIDGE councillors have rejected a request to extend Askeland Media’s billboard management contract to 30 May 2027 citing lack of accountability, poor maintenance and absence of financial records.
The company had applied for a one year extension, arguing its operations were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile one of the Councillors said they were never formally advised of any such impact during the contract period.
Ward 3 Councillor Takavingei Mahachi led the objections, questioning the company’s performance and transparency.
He said council has never received a comprehensive record of the number of billboards under Askeland Media or the revenue they generate.
Mahachi also raised concern over the state of advertising infrastructure in the town, saying billboards are scattered everywhere with little evidence of monitoring or maintenance as required in the contract.
“The contract clearly states that they must maintain and monitor billboards. But if you go around town today, the billboards are in a poor state and scattered all over.”
“We do not even have a record of how many there are or how much they are bringing in,” he said.
Other councillors supported the position, saying the absence of financial reports and proper documentation made it impossible to justify extending the contract.
Councils make money from billboards primarily through licensing, leasing public land, and taxing the advertising structures. These revenues are generated by treating outdoor advertising as a commercial use of municipal space, which requires permits and ongoing fees.
Acting Town Clerk Sathulana Moyo initially referred the matter to committee level for further consideration.
But councillors resisted the move, insisting the issue had already been deliberated and finalised.
They maintained that sending it back to committee would delay a decision on a matter where key accountability issues remain unresolved.
Following the deliberations, the request to extend Askeland Media’s contract was formally rejected, with councillors demanding improved transparency and proper records before any future consideration.