By Rex Mphisa
THE Municipality of Beitbridge has resolved to hire a “consulting engineering firm” to supervise the Tiger Eye Company contracted for the development of the proposed new US$15 million Central Business District (CBD) between Tshidixwa and Tshitaudze suburbs.
The area covers the current fresh produce market commonly referred to as “Speed”, a messy potential health time bomb, where farmers wholesale their produce to vendors and other end users closer Tshitaudze suburb.
Beitbridge Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola confirmed what some members of the ruling Zanu PF have described as an “unnecessary duplication of work and ratepayer burden” to accomodate non performing workers.
“The municipality has resolved to engage a Consulting Engineering firm to assist Council with close supervision of the works for the new CBD,” said Ramakgapola who took more than 12 hours to respond to the embarrassing development, much unlike him.
Deputy Mayor Councillor John Manatsa also confirmed the development saying the local authority was not willing to leave the “face of the town and country” to chance looking at the previous deliveries by their council.
A special full council meeting presided over first by himself and later by Mayor Peter Pirato Mafuta sat on Monday to make the resolution.
“Remember we are talking about the face of the town of Beitbridge, ultimately the face of Zimbabwe and we expect it to be perfect. We resolved to hire an engineer who will deliver. We are not paying him from our rates but from what we will make from the development of our new project,” said Manatsa.
He however walked away when asked whether this new employment was not statement enough the policy makers were felt their existent engineering department was incompetent.
MoB has two engineers on their payroll including Douglas Siphuma and currently suspended Timothy Kadyamusuma.
On the engineering front the local authority’s output has left a lot to be desired with burst sewers, poor roads and a vast residential, commercial and industrial areas not connected to sewer and water systems a constant pain for residents.
At the moment suspected “infighting” within the engineering department has been blamed for a deterioration in already poorly run engineering services of the border town.
Some workers in that department are believed to be politically connected in the ruling party and were reportedly untouchable.
“It is why there is talk now in the party that this must be investigated as what may be affecting the ruling party’s performance in town. People are running away from us because of poor delivery by people perceived connected to some high ranking party officials and that should be sorted,” a Zanu PF party member said.
“Some allege they are connected to the Vice President but they must not embarrass. I believe its just a myth and they are not. Both vice presidents want good things for Beitbridge and this claim is a lie,” said the Zanu PF member.
Kadyamusuma was suspended allegedly for stealing municipal pipes to do a municipal job outside border post.
He was also accused of two illegal connection of water including at a site where First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa held her National Cookout last year for which the water connections through a council resolution were made.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi was to later host his birthday party at the same venue whose owners have said they are approaching authorities for explanations on the damaging allegations.