By Centre News Hub

Masvingo – Residents in Masvingo have come out guns blazing against the City of Masvingo following reports that the local authority has passed a resolution to buy Mayor Aleck Tabe a new Land Cruiser after his current vehicle, a 2023 Fortuner model, was slightly damaged by the violent hailstorm that struck Masvingo early last month.

Residents argue that the move would be a show of misplaced priorities, selfishness and extravagant spending on the part of the local authority, given that the vehicle was purchased hardly two years ago.

The citizens also question the morality of the move, given the deteriorating state of service delivery in the city, which is marred by serious water challenges, erratic refuse collection and shattered road infrastructure.

“If what we hear from the rumour mill is correct, we are really disappointed with such decisions. How can they buy a new luxurious vehicle for the Mayor when his vehicle is still new? It was bought two years ago and their reason blaming hailstorm damage is not justified,” said Samson Manyere from Rujeko B.

Another resident blamed the duty bearers for serving their personal interests at the expense of residents.

“If they really represent us, they must not make such decisions when we are facing several service delivery challenges,” he said.

Monica Muyambo from Mucheke F blasted Council for taking such a step when it has not assisted residents whose houses were damaged by the hailstorm and who lost their properties.

“What infuriates us is that they have rushed to buy the Mayor a new vehicle damaged by the hailstorm when Council has not even assisted a single resident who lost property after their houses were damaged by the same hailstorm. Surely how can they prioritise a luxurious vehicle for a single person in office when scores were left without proper shelter?” worried Muyambo.

Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) Director, Anoziva Muguti, echoed the same sentiments.

“We strongly condemn the reported resolution by Masvingo City Council to purchase a top-of-the-range vehicle for the Mayor while residents affected by the same hailstorm have received no assistance. This is a gross display of misplaced priorities, extravagance and insensitivity. Public resources must serve residents, not pamper those in positions of power. Disasters must never become opportunities for extravagance and personal enrichment while ordinary residents are left to suffer,” said Muguti.

Contacted for comment, Masvingo Mayor Aleck Tabe confirmed that Council had proposed and recommended that the damaged mayoral vehicle be replaced, although the issue is not yet finalised.

“The car was due for disposal in 2028 as per Council policy. Council in its own wisdom recommended that in the 2027 budget, Council purchases a mayoral vehicle and proposed the Fortuner to be a pool vehicle in the Mayor’s office and be disposed of when due. However, Council is waiting for an assessment report from the insurance company to make a decision and further recommend to Council,” said Tabe.

The issue comes at a time when Masvingo City Council was hosting several local authorities under the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) from around the country, who donated $30,000 for materials to refurbish council-run Burombo Primary School that was destroyed by the violent hailstorm.

However, Masvingo City Council is yet to assist residents who lost their properties to the storm.

Councillors in the last full council meeting also expressed concern and voiced their disgruntlement over the same issue, questioning why the local authority had not yet rolled out assistance to victims of the hailstorm in their wards.