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Minister Chombo

Patrick Chitumba Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) 71st annual general meeting started in Victoria Falls yesterday in direct defiance of a Government order directing the organisers to cancel the event. The Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo, announced the cancellation of the AGM on Monday, arguing that it was unnecessary and a duplication of the Zimbabwe Local Government Association conference held in Mutare recently.

However, in an interview in Victoria Falls yesterday, UCAZ president and Masvingo Mayor, Alderman Femius Chakabuda, said the conference was going ahead because the Government had not notified his organisation of the cancellation.

“We are not defying any orders from the Government because we did not receive any communication from the Ministry (Local Government, Rural and Urban Development). I just saw the story in the paper,” said Ald Chakabuda.

He said the conference was well-attended, saying all urban local authorities were represented.

“We made a roll call and you were there, all local authorities are represented,” said Ald Chakabuda.

In his opening remarks, Ald Chakabuda said they were meeting at a time when some of  their members were not sure whether they would be back in council after the harmonised elections.

As such, Ald Chakabuda said they were meeting to wind up their affairs and prepare the way for incoming councillors.

“Our term of office is coming to an end. So we rather leave a clean house than to wait to be asked to leave and therefore the need to have this conference to wind up our affairs. The conference was supposed to be held in August but we brought it forward considering the political environment currently existing,” he said.

Ald Chakabuda said since the councillors were voted into office, the local government fraternity had been “under siege from the media and the Government”.

“We came into office when there were mountains of garbage and streams of sewer in local authorities especially in Harare and Bulawayo. So I thank you colleagues for turning the fortunes of the local authorities even though we operated under siege from the Press and Government,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, Victoria Falls Mayor, Alderman Nkosilathi Jiyane, said the conference was coming at a time when there were less than 65 days before the country co-hosts the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly with Zambia.

“Today’s meeting comes at a time Victoria Falls is counting 65 days before the start of the UNWTO General Assembly in August                                  (24-29). As chairperson of the local organising committee, I am pleased to inform you that the preparations are well on track despite some challenges of time and material constraints,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Councillor Patricia Mwale.

“I certainly assure you that the spirits of the people of this town are already high in anticipation of visitors and I have no doubt that together we will rise to the occasion. Ladies and gentlemen, your ideas on how we as a town can make the best out of this upcoming world class event are more than welcome.”