The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance has 30 Local Advocacy Champions (LACs) in the Chegutu District that spearhead programs on advocacy and accountability. Efforts by LAC have been noticed and felt by the Chegutu Town council. Speaking during the LAC exchange program the Mayor, His Worship Henry Muchatibaya (Pictured) reiterated the work done by LAC and was grateful to the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA).
Like most towns in Zimbabwe, Chegutu also faces water shortages and reticulation issues. However, after advocacy programs by LAC, Chegutu Town Council took great steps in easing those problems.
“We rehabilitated the water treatment plant. We used US$812 194 for upgrading the water treatment plant in 2019.” said the Mayor
The old suburbs received a shot in the arm when they had the sewers system replaced with new ones. Burst sewers have been a perennial problem in Chegutu town; especially in the old high density suburbs where there are big populations that put a strain on the already old sewer system.
“We also replaced the sewer line in the old locations called the C and the P section. This had a cost of US$67 000 to replace a 2.5 kilometer sewer line. In 2020, we replaced the sewer trunk main line in the high density suburb covering 2.6 kilometers, from the sewer ponds to Chakari Road. We also purchased six sewer pumps, whose cost was RTGS$2,244 000. We also purchased a PVC sewer reticulation pipe with a total cost of US$2.570 000”, the Mayor Said.
Incessant power outages have always been a problem in Chegutu and the Mayor said a generator was purchased for the Chegutu Town House.
“We also purchased a 33 kilo-volts generator at a cost of US$29 138 for our town house,” said the Mayor.
Most of the roads in Zimbabwe are over forty years in use and are mottled with potholes. In addition, new roads must be constructed in new suburbs. In Chegutu efforts have been made to build and rehabilitate its road network.
“We had the graveling of Kaguvi and Chegutu East roads, and those are new suburbs. Roads that received attention are those in the CBD to the tune of US$90 000 in 2019.”
Chinengundu Clinic was also renovated and it has since been adopted as a COVID-19 centre.
“We also refurbished Chinengundu clinic. It is a poly clinic and we pumped out US$2 million. Chinengundu Clinic is now a COVID-19 isolation centre. We used US$2 which we received from the government out of the devolution funds”, said the Mayor.
The Mayor also stated that they still have challenges with non-payment of rates, but through advocacy done by the LAC clergy, there has been a marked improvement and an increase in bill payments.
“Our people are not honouring their dues. Our people are not paying, but through Pastors from the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, they are trying to make everyone understand where we are headed. We recorded an increase in monthly rates payments in Chegutu which is a positive move that we endeavour as the local authority to continue so that we also improve our services”, said the Mayor.
The Mayor applauded the work done by LAC. The LACs are involved in community engagement and holding stakeholders to account. He added that this work should not stop in 2021, but they should continue doing it in other places as well.
“These people are doing a great job; they stand for us as council. When you see them speaking to the public, you might think they are the town clerk. When people don’t understand our budget, these people (LAC) explain it to the public. I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance for the job well done. This should not end in 2021, because here in Chegutu we have seen a positive change”, ended the Mayor.