Zimpapers Logo

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]

BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube, has warned Entumbane residents to be wary of enemies of development who are bent on derailing their project of purchasing a community ambulance.

Minister Ncube said this while addressing members of the ambulance purchase project, representatives of the residents’ association, as well as some war veterans at the Entumbane War Veterans offices recently.

With a united position, the residents organised themselves through a residents’ WhatsApp group and resolved to purchase an ambulance for the community after noting that it sometimes took more than an hour for an ambulance to get to the suburb whenever one is phoned.

They agreed that each of the 7 523 households will contribute US$1 while those with lodgers will have each of their tenants contributing the same amount.

However, there were some, especially from the opposition political circles who were opposed to the project as they felt it was being pushed by their political opponents, and have gone on a de-campaigning overdrive, using each community gathering like funerals to tell residents not to contribute towards the project as they were going to lose their money to the project masterminds.

The residents found themselves divided on the issue with a section buying into the allegations while a majority remain focused and have ignored the calls.

The project then went on smoothly until last week when the steering committee’s chairperson, Mr Max Mnkandla, rocked the boat by telling members via an audio message in the WhatsApp group that he was stepping down from the chairmanship because there was no clarity on how people’s money is being kept.

This was despite the fact that the committee agreed to have the money kept at a local supermarket owned by a prominent businessman.

Mr Mnkandla’s allegations brought emotions to a boiling point after he described the whole fundraising project as a scam and demanded a refund for his contribution before announcing that he is stepping down as the chairman of the steering committee.

Other members of the committee are coordinator Nkosikhona Mlilo, vice-chairman who has since been elevated to the position of acting-chairman Bizert Mathema, secretary Butholezwe Nxumalo, treasurers Grace Moyo and Mandlenkosi Zulu. Committee members are Ntando Moyo, Millicent Nyahuma, Sukoluhle Msimanga, Sandson Moyo as well as Pastor Decent Tshuma.

After Mr Mnkandla’s outbursts some people started accusing the rest of the members of the steering committee of being thieves who had embezzled their funds resulting in the committee resolving to seek the intervention of Minister Ncube.

The minister has been very motherly but firm in her engagement, urging residents not to allow themselves to fall prey to those who are anti-development.

“The President has been very clear that ‘ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo’ and you people are clearly doing that by this project. So, please do not be swayed by those who don’t want such a noble project to see the light of the day,” she said. 

“Remain united and you shall prevail. Lingadilizi iNtumbane bantu bakithi especially now that you have reached out to us. When I am here, I am representing the President and don’t want to embarrass the leadership. So, I call upon all of you residents of Entumbane to remain focused on any positive developments.  There are those who take pride in its failure.”

Minister Ncube said her office was fully behind the project as it resonated well with the national vision.

Commenting on the resignation of Mr Mnkandla from the chairmanship, Minister Ncube said: “That is not an issue at all, find someone to lead so that this project goes ahead, and like I said my office is always open and we are fully in support of your noble efforts.”

Minister Ncube was accompanied by the Zanu-PF National Assembly candidate for Njube-Entumbane constituency, Cde Linda Chinamano.