Controversy over $400k Chinhoyi budget

CONTROVERSY has rocked the Chinhoyi Municipality 2018 budget presentation over a $400 000 provision to purchase at least five vehicles for heads of department.

The provision was met with mixed feelings from councillors with some arguing that the officials’ vehicles were still in good shape.

“We are currently struggling as a local authority with various statutory obligations which we are barely managing to meet,” said one of the councillors.

“To set aside that kind of money does not auger well.”

Other councillors were of the view that the vehicles will be bought at a later stage when council’s finances were solid.

Chinhoyi mayor Mr Test Michaels said purchasing of the vehicles was in line with the council’s transport policy.

Directors heading departments including engineering, health, finance, housing, the chamber secretary and the town clerk should get new vehicles after every five years or when mileage hits 200 000 kilometres, according to the policy.

Mr Michaels said it was prudent to make provision for the vehicles to keep staff motivated and also to avoid mileage claims when time for new vehicles was due.

“This is our transport policy and we have to adhere to it,” he said.

“This does not mean that the vehicles will be bought tomorrow. We need to do the right thing.”

The majority of councillors then endorsed the provision.

It will mean that each director will get a vehicle that does not exceed $80 000, but town clerk Mr Maxwell Kaitano who has been using his personal vehicle since joining Chinhoyi Municipality over a year ago is entitled to a vehicle not exceeding $120 000.

Mr Michaels said Mr Kaitano’s vehicle was expected to deliver within the next two months.

“There is a resolution to that effect and as council we are going to make sure that we buy that car,” he said. “We are going to source the money.”

To manage the process, Mr Michaels said council would look for car dealers that accept a payment plan.