Govt acquires vehicles for chiefs
THE Government has procured 226 Isuzu double Cab vehicles for traditional leaders following a request by the chiefs.
Addressing the National Council of Chiefs in Harare yesterday ahead of the chief’s conference in Bulawayo tomorrow (Friday), Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said 20 of the vehicles were already in the country and Government will start allocating the vehicles to substantive chiefs.
“We have reactivated that process now and even district administrators who have been deprived we have bought about 73 vehicles so that they can work well. Why should we hesitate to buy vehicles for chiefs especially those who are substantive.”
“Today you will see a sample vehicle but we said by the time we go to Bulawayo we should have made some progress. Early this morning I met with Finance Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo who understood your plight. Some of the vehicles are being imported from South Africa,” he said.
Minister Kasukuwere said Government cannot play games with the institution of chiefs. He said he had gone through reports of several meetings which were happening in the country and was not impressed with the welfare of chiefs.
“Chiefs and the President are one. All the concerns you have are with me as your Minister. I have arranged that you meet all the Ministers at the conference so that they can address all your concerns. We must agree on a way forward. We must agree on a path that promotes good living among our people,” he said.
“Through the chiefs we build a good country and communities. You will have the platform to share the aspirations
working on South African farms are engaging in crime. In fact, it is the undocumented farm workers who are being exploited and we expect the South African government to engage their farmers so that they respect labour rights,” he said.
Mr Mabhena said despite Mr Mbalula’s remarks, migrant labour contributed to the growth of the South African economy.
“In our view, Minister Mbalula should direct his energy towards ensuring that the proposed migration policy, which is under discussion in Parliament, is speeded up so that undocumented workers are granted Sadc visas when eventually rolled out,” he said.
Mr Mabhena said the call by Minister Mbalula to discourage South African farmers from employing Zimbabweans was not practical given the historical and geographical links between the two countries.
In April, Mr Mbalula sparked a diplomatic row when he alleged that Zimbabwean ex-soldiers were responsible for violent crimes occurring in the neighbouring country.
“There are people who come here from Zimbabwe, and they cross the line here. They run away from the military in Zimbabwe and they come here and promote criminality here in South Africa,” the minister said at the time without providing a shred of evidence.
Zimbabwe through the country’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Isaac Moyo, described Mr Mbalula’s remarks as “shocking” and subsequently engaged the neighbouring country’s government over the issue.
The Minister of State Security, Cde Kembo Mohadi, also weighed in, saying the South African minister’s remarks were in bad taste and uncalled for.
Cde Mohadi also urged Mr Mbalula to use official bilateral platforms to raise any grievance against Zimbabweans in the neighbouring country. — @ mashnets of your people as well as your own. We cannot have a situation where our chiefs get stranded or fail to access fuel. Why do we humiliate ourselves.”
Chiefs council president Fortune Charumbira urged chiefs to unite with the country’s leadership for the betterment of the country. “Let us support the new Minister in his endeavours. It does not help to like the President while doing things that remove Zanu -PF from power. If you like President Mugabe and do not wish for an inclusive Government we should interact honestly,” he said adding that Zanu -PF should remain in power.