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Patrick Chitumba Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council’s decision to buy a new vehicle for Mayor Martin Moyo at a cost of $60,000 has infuriated ratepayers who argue that the proposed purchase is not a priority amid deteriorating service delivery.
Council flighted an advertisement in a local publication over the weekend urging interested suppliers to place their bids to supply a Benz ML.
In separate interviews, residents accused council of failing to prioritise service delivery at a time it says it is broke and struggling to pay workers.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association, programme and advocacy manager, Emmanuel Ndlovu took a swipe at the council management for not being considerate to the needs of the residents.

“For us the problem is not on the purchasing of the car for the mayor but the value of it. We feel spending $60,000 is too much considering that the same municipality is lagging behind in terms of service delivery and salaries,” said Ndlovu.

“We are outraged as residents and we feel that that money could be channeled towards other things like rehabilitation of roads especially in the high density suburbs.”
He said council should rather opt for a cheaper vehicle if the mayor really needs a car to use.

Bulawayo United Residents’ Association chairperson, Winos Dube, said as ratepayers, they were concerned by the plan to purchase the vehicle for Moyo.
“In the 2014 pre–budget consultations, we raised a number of things we want done under service delivery but council is failing to deliver on that citing budget constraints. But here they go, they are on the verge of buying the mayor an expensive vehicle!  What for?” he asked.

Dube said clinics, schools; sewer and reticulation services needed funding.
“We are not happy at all because their priorities are messed up. It is really an issue of priorities. They are failing in provision of water. They should reconsider this because it is an extravagance in a sea of poverty which is uncalled for.”

Mathew Sibanda, a resident from Morningside said council needed to explain where they were going to get the funds for the car considering it is always saying it is broke.

Council spokeswoman Nesisa Mpofu had by the time of printing, not responded to questions sent to her three days ago.
Bulawayo is reeling from water and sewer pipe bursts and is failing to collect refuse as regularly as it should. Council is also struggling to maintain street and traffic lights, but has no problems with the proposed $60,000 outlay on the mayoral vehicle.