Tinotenda Hove – COTRAD recently convened a community feedback meeting in Chiredzi Ward 23, aimed at promoting transparency and fostering dialogue between local authorities and residents. While the platform allowed residents to voice their concerns, some community members expressed frustration over slow and inconsistent development progress in the area.

During the meeting, the local councillor outlined plans included in the Chiredzi Rural District Council’s approved budget, notably the rehabilitation of key roads, construction of a women’s marketplace, and the drilling of boreholes. However, these promises sparked cautious optimism, with residents questioning the timelines and previous delays in fulfilling such pledges.

Feedback meetings like these are vital for inclusive governance, but critics argue that without tangible results and consistent updates, such engagements risk becoming symbolic rather than impactful.

Local development watchdogs are urging the RDC to ensure that outlined projects move beyond planning into concrete implementation, stressing that residents in Ward 23 continue to suffer from poor infrastructure, limited access to clean water, and lack of economic opportunities—challenges that have persisted despite repeated budget allocations.