REPORT WITH US

Is something happening we should know about? Our readers give us some of our best story ideas.

WhatsApp: +263 7 18636459
Email: editor@thecitizenbulletin.com 
Twitter: @TheCB_News
Facebook: The Citizen Bulletin

Locals Express Concern Over ‘Underdevelopment’ Caused By Recalls Of Their MPs, Councillors

Maacha Primary School in Binga...Mat North residents say by-elections cannot recover lost months of development. Image by Citizen Initiative


BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | MAR 18, 2022

In Matabeleland North, residents believe politically motivated recalls of their representatives from parliament and local councils has stalled development, but to what end?


MATABELELAND NORTH (The Citizen Bulletin) — In Matabeleland North, communities say the recall of their councillors and legislators from local government and Parliament has slowed, if not stopped projects.

“We had community projects which needed implementation and our councillor was already doing that and making strides towards the development of our community.”

“You must know that, we had voted him in office, meaning we had confidence in him. He was doing well, but we just heard on the news that he was recalled. It’s not fair,” says Sarah Mpala of ward 6, in Hwange.

Over 100 councillors and legislators were recalled in 2021 by the MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora.


However, residents in the areas in which elected leaders were removed from office describe the recalls as selfish and not electorate centred.


Residents say, even if they are going to the by-elections, they cannot recover lost months of development.

Former Binga North MP Prince Dube was recalled from parliament last year in October, claims the biggest loser is his constituency.


“We had about 4 dams that were under construction when I was in the parliament. We had classroom blocks at about three schools that were stopped. We had about 4 clinics that were under construction which were interrupted. It is important to take note that yearly from the time I was elected we used to gravel and re-gravel the roads. But after the recall, all those things stopped.”
Prince Dube, former Binga North MP


People in the affected communities believe the laws allowing for recalls must be amended to ensure the electorate is also consulted.

“I think in a democracy it’s us the electorate who must be seen often recalling elected officials than party leaders unless it is justifiable to the electorate,” Innocent Phiri of Binga says.

The constitution under section 149 (1) (k) allows for the recalls of councillors and legislators.

Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) coordinator Khumbulani Maphosa says the recalls affect the electorate the most.

“It is a pity that in Zimbabwe the concept seems to be abused a lot in terms of political grandstanding as well as fixing dissenting voices and muzzling the voice of the people and voice of criticism. That is the challenge we are having with the system of recalls,” says Maphosa.


“Secondly we need the process of recalls to have checks and balances because currently it’s a blank cheque and it affects the enjoyment of human rights and freedoms especially of the electorate.”
Khumbulani Maphosa, MIHR coordinator


ALSO READ: Vic Falls Residents Feud With Council Over Green City Strategy


Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring MP for Tsholotsho South, Tapson Nganu Sibanda says the delay in having the by-elections had an impact on development.

“The main challenges faced by people of Tsholotsho South this time around are hunger as crops, particularly maize has wilted due to moisture stress. So it means since the death of the former MP, the constituency has been suffering without representation,” says Sibanda.


 Do you have a hyperlocal story to share?

WhatsApp us on: +263 71 863 6459.  Email us on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Since You’re Here, We’ve a Small Request…

Our hard-hitting hyperlocal reporting and analysis reaches one in every three people across the greater region of Matabeleland, southwestern Zimbabwe. That means our content reaches approximately 60,000 readers each week. However, in order for our well-rounded journalism to reach more people who need it to make informed decisions about their lives and their communities, we need to build a strong audience of followers that would receive our rigorous reporting in just one place. Because of exorbitant internet data costs, we know most of our readers use messaging apps such as WhatsApp to get all our content in one place. But the platform, predominantly used by our readers, is not primarily designed for content distribution and reader engagement. That is why we’re building a WhatsApp Bot to navigate this challenge. But in order for this strategy to work effectively to serve our needs, we want all our casual readers like you to be part of our growing WhatsApp Community. To be part of this community of registered users, WhatsApp the word "JOIN" to +263 71 863 6459. We look forward to engaging and building a lasting relationship with you. Thank you.