Safety, Health and Environment Officer (Harare)

Business Unit Manager x2 (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant - JAC (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant – DONG FENG (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant – BAIC (Harare)

Spray Painter (Harare)

Motor Vehicle Panel Beater (Harare)

Team Leaders x7

Billing Supervisor (Harare)

Sales Representative (Harare)

Auto Electrician: Artisan (Chipinge)

Sales Representatives (Harare)

Director Human Resource (Mutare)

Assistant Batch Plant Operator (Harare)

Legal & Compliance Manager (Harare)

Processes Analyst (Harare)

Finance Manager Corporate (Harare)

The City of Gweru has warned residents against buying fish and chicken from street vendors saying they risked contracting diseases from the uninspected food items.
The <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200021299/gweru-warns-residents-about-street-food-vendors">Southern Eye</a> reported that some vendors were selling fish caught from some sections of Gweru River that are contaminated with raw sewage.
In a recent statement, the local authority urged residents to buy white meat only from registered suppliers. It said:
<blockquote>
We have noted with concern the selling of fish and chicken on the pavements within the central business district.
Please be advised that such meat is being sold from undesignated places in contravention of the public health legislation and the city health by-laws.
All white meat should be kept frozen and sold from approved and licensed premises.
Let us prevent the introduction and spread of food-borne illnesses by buying our food products from registered and reputable suppliers only.
</blockquote>
Gweru Hawkers and Vendors Association chairperson Lovemore Tingaka told the Southern Eye that they do not encourage vendors to sell meat on the streets. Said Tingaka:
<blockquote>
As a vendors association, we have always pushed for the cause of informal traders, but when it comes to food, we have always encouraged our vendors to have an understanding of the dangers of selling food, particularly meat from the streets.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s seemingly unending economic challenges and low disposable incomes have forced hundreds of thousands of people to make a living out of vending.
Vendors sell products at lower prices compared to formal shops and this attracts significant numbers of consumers to streets and pavements.
However, it is not possible for authorities to police food vendors thereby putting the health and lives of consumers at risk.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Gweru Council Warns Residents Against Buying Meat From Vendors

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was on Friday conferred with the Freedom of the City by the Gweru City Council.
The conferment is the highest civic honour a council can bestow on a prominent man or woman for meritorious service, either of a national or local character, reported <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/gweru-confers-president-with-freedom-of-city/">the Chronicle</a>.
The event was attended by several senior Government officials, including Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, and the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda.
After unveiling the plaque, Mnangagwa headed for the Town House where he attended the City of Gweru special full council meeting.
The meeting was conducted at the Civic Centre grounds to accommodate all the people who came to witness the event.
Gweru mayor Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi welcomed the members to the special full council meeting.
Acting town clerk Livingstone Churu read the notice convening the special council meeting. He said:
<blockquote>
At a meeting of the Council, held in the Council Chamber 696 Ordinary Council meeting held in the Mayor’s parlour, Municipal offices, Civic Centre Gweru on Monday, November 28 2022, it was resolved in pursuance of the provision of paragraph 52, of the second schedule of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15).
That the Mayor, Councillors and Aldermen, on behalf of the citizens of the City of Gweru, do confer the First Honorary Freedom of the City of Gweru Upon His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Head of State and Government, The Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
… His bravery in the execution of the war of liberation saw him spending ten years in the colonial regime prisons and his release from prison that occurred in Zimbabwe and Zambia. As a person born in the Midlands Province, and Gweru being the capital of the Midlands Province we will forever cherish and honour the bravery to fight for independence and economic development.
</blockquote>
Gweru, originally known as Gwelo during the colonial era, and known as iKwelo “The Steep Place” by the Ndebele people, is near the geographical centre of Zimbabwe and the capital of Midlands Province.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009522/ed-demands-re-run-in-violence-hotspots">Pindula News</a>

Gweru Confers Mnangagwa With Freedom Of City

Gweru City Council (GCC) says it intends to introduce incentives that will ensure that people with disabilities (PWDs) who own properties get a reprieve in the payment of rates, reported the <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007866/gweru-cuts-rates-for-pwds">Southern Eye</a>.
Acting town clerk Livingston Churu on Thursday said prospective beneficiaries should provide proof that they own properties in the city. He said:
<blockquote>
The City of Gweru will be registering all the people with disabilities who have houses in the city.
The registration is for a feasibility study for rates payment incentives, and the person should be the sole owner of the residence and should submit a letter from the Social Welfare ministry highlighting the need.
</blockquote>
Churu said prospective beneficiaries should provide certified and original copies of their national identity cards, birth certificates and title deed to the finance department at Town House from February 27 to March 15 between 8 am to 5 pm.
Last month, the Gweru City Council made a similar commitment for senior citizens over 70 years where it plans to cut by 50% all their rate payments.

Gweru City Council Plans To Cut Rates For The Physically Challenged

Mr Livingston Churu, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gweru">Gweru</a> City’s newly appointed acting Town Clerk, was at the weekend involved in an accident with the local authority’s vehicle a day after his appointment to the new post and receiving the vehicle.
According to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/acting-gweru-town-clerk-wrecks-car-a-day-after-receiving-it/">The Herald</a>, the vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was declared a write-off after the accident.
The vehicle was bought for US$176 000 by the former Town Clerk Mrs <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Elizabeth_Gwatipedza">Elizabeth Gwatipedza.</a>
Mr Churu took over the post from acting Town Clerk, Mr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Vakayi_Douglas_Chikwekwe">Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe</a> who was removed following his recent arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of corruption.
Gweru City Spokesperson, Ms Vimbai Chingwaramise confirmed that the acting clerk was involved in an accident a day after his appointment.
Ms Vimbai Chingwaramise said the accident occurred near <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Norton">Norton</a> adding that Mr Churu escaped unharmed.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Gweru Acting Town Clerk In Accident A Day After His Appointment

The City of Gweru has identified more than 60 buildings in the Central Business District (CBD) that need urgent renovations to meet the required standards.
Speaking during a City Council business engagement meeting held recently at the Mayor’s parlour, a Gweru City Council official Tapiwa Marerwa, warned that the local authority will not hesitate to demolish buildings with structural defects. Said Marerwa:
<blockquote>
We have been approached by various stakeholders with complaints that our buildings are in a bad state.
Most of them are generally not being maintained making them inhabitable and not fit to be used.
It is a requirement at law for us as a local authority to make sure that the owners of these buildings have addressed the anomalies.
We have summoned the respective owners of these buildings to take corrective measures but in the case of buildings with structural defects, these will be demolished, there is no going back on that.
</blockquote>
Some of the buildings in the city have collapsing roofs while others have cracks and the paint is peeling off. Added Marerwa:
<blockquote>
While some have cracks, others have paint peeling off and there are a number of buildings that have been abandoned.
Council was in the process of engaging owners of these buildings so that they can address the flagged areas.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://tellzim.com/more-than-60-defect-ridden-buildings-face-demolition-in-gweru/">TellZim News</a>

More Then 60 Buildings Face Demolition In Gweru CBD

Police have rejected an application by Gweru residents to stage a demonstration against the Gweru City Council on Monday.
The planned protest was organised by Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRADA) and Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA).
It was set to take place at Gweru Town House from 11 AM to 1 PM.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) turned down the application on the grounds that the convenors failed to meet the requirements outlined in the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA).
Part of a letter dated 12 October 2022, addressed to GUPRADA director David Chikore by the officer Commanding Gweru Police Urban District Superintendent Joshua Nyamadzawo reads in part:
<blockquote>
Reference is made to the notification dated September 11, which was received on October 11. This office regrets to advise you that your notification does not meet the requirements as outlined in Section 7.1(a), 7.2(f-h)b of MOPA Chapter 11;23.
You didn’t give adequate notice of seven days for the intended gathering. You failed to state conveners’ addresses and their deputies’ names, addresses and telephone numbers. You failed to indicate the number of participants.
You failed to indicate the number and names of marshals as well as how they’re distinguished.
You also failed to mention the manner in which the participants will be transported to and from the venue.
</blockquote>
GRRA director Conilia Selipiwe told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002007/police-block-gweru-residents-demo">NewsDay Weekender</a> that they had taken note of the letter and will make another application on Friday, 14 October 2022.

Police Block Gweru Residents' Demo, Cite MOPA Provisions

Gweru residents recently protested over Gweru City Council’s decision to hike bills and continued poor service delivery, according to <a href="https://www.263chat.com/gweru-residents-stage-demo-against-hiked-council-bills-and-poor-services/">263Chat</a>.
Protesters who were between 30 and 50 gathered at the Mkoba 6 high-density suburb administration offices and summoned one of the senior administrators demanding answers on why they were receiving bills not commensurate with services provided.
They had placards some of which read ‘Stop Estimating Our Bills’, ‘Tariff Rebasing Is Killing Us’, ‘Stop Property Attachments’, ‘We demand Water’ and ‘Stop Taking Us For Granted’. 
After failing to get answers, the residents started singing, ‘Zvema dhisinyongoro taramba’ [we don’t tolerate nonsense], denouncing the official’s actions.
The demonstration was organised by members of the Gweru Residents and Rate Payers Association (GRRA) following a service delivery review meeting that was held at the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) where several challenges were raised against the local authority.
Speaking after the flash demo, GRRA Executive Director Cornilia Selipiwe said residents had come to seek clarity on the billing system in light of poor services. He said:
<blockquote>
Residents were here to seek clarity on how they are being billed because as you understand there is a water disconnection blitz that is underway but residents are saying yes they are being disconnected but the bills still come way too high.
So they were asking for an explanation from the person in charge here (Mkoba 6 administration offices) but the person in charge saw the number of people who had gathered and did not respond to their questions, I dont know whether it was fear.
So after failing to get answers they started singing showing their disappointment but the intention was to come and seek explanation on the water disconnections which is really not there, yet the bills come too high.
</blockquote>
Residents said they were mainly outraged by the hiking of tariffs through the rebasing system, water meter estimates, property seizures and perennial water shortages.
Gweru City Council recently hiked its tariffs in the name of rebasing using the United States dollar interbank rate which saw bills going up as much as three times in the local currency, which left many residents fuming.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Gweru Residents Stage Demo Over Poor Service Delivery, Hiking Of Bills

Gweru Mayor, Josiah Makombe reportedly moved into the mayoral mansion thereby triggering outrage from residents who have been pushing for the premise to be converted into an income-generating lodge.
Makombe himself is reported to have previously suggested that the building built in the 1990s should be turned into a money-earning venture.
The NewsHawks report that Makombe began moving into the old mansion last month with renovations and refurnishing of the council-owned house still ongoing.
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association Trust executive director David Chikore said successive attempts to engage the council over the mayoral mansion had failed to yield results. He said:
<blockquote>
As Guprada Trust, we sought audience with the mayor on the issue, but we never made progress and so we wrote a letter to the minister of Local Government seeking clarification on the perks of the ceremonial mayor. We e-mailed this letter to the ministry on 24 April 2021, but up to now there is no response.
We have since 2016 been proposing that the mayoral mansion be converted into a big revenue-earning upmarket lodge with conference facilities and a wedding venue. The idea had gathered traction in council corridors after much discussion and we were actually counting the days waiting for the resolution to be made so we are shocked and saddened by this latest development.
</blockquote>
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association director Cornelia Selipiwe criticised top council officials for lavishly spending the ratepayers’ money at the expense of service delivery. 
This comes as Bulawayo City Council has also approved plans to build a mansion for the mayor.
More: <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/uproar-as-gweru-mayor-moves-into-mansion/">The NewsHawks</a>

Gweru Mayor Moves Into Mansion Sparking Outrage

Gweru residents are up in arms with the city fathers after it emerged that the local government authority spent over $3 million on a three-day strategic workshop held in Masvingo last month.
This was revealed during a recent virtual Constituency Indaba facilitated by Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD).
A report read during the Indaba claims that the city fathers squandered $3.5 million in a space of three days during a strategic workshop. Reads the ZIMCODD report:
<blockquote>Gweru city council could have developed Mtapa market or addressed other binding constraints the city is faced with and improve service delivery, however, due to misplaced priorities ZW$ 3.5 million was squandered in three days by a few individuals while the majority of the city dwellers languish in abject poverty.</blockquote>
Residents in the Midlands capital expressed disappointment in the council’s expenditure and choice of priorities.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (GRRA) Director, Cornelius Selitiwe said they have for long called for rationality at the townhouse but this has fallen on deaf ears. Said Selitiwe:
<blockquote>We have always been complaining about the council’s priorities, they prioritize things that disadvantage the residents. We understand the workshop was for strategic planning but why travel all the way to Masvingo when we have a lot of recreational facilities here in Gweru.
We are now disadvantaged in terms of service delivery and we are not happy at all, this can’t be tolerated.</blockquote>
However, City of Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe justified the spending saying that the workshop was inevitable and was going to help improve service delivery in the city. He said:
<blockquote>We spent the money on a strategic planning workshop that was held in Masvingo. Residents always blame council for overspending, even when we hold a workshop like this one to plan for the development and ways in which we can run the city.</blockquote>
Gweru, like all other local authorities, has been failing to provide public goods and services such as water, sewer reticulation, street lighting and garbage collection and road maintenance.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>; <a href="http://www.tellzim.com/2021/07/council-spends-35-million-on-three-day.html">TellZim</a>

Gweru Council Spends Over $3 Million On Three-Day Workshop

Gweru City Council town clerk, Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza, has been fired after being found guilty of two counts related to insubordination and incompetence.
Gwatipedza who has been on suspension since October last year was guilty of wilful disobedience to a lawful order from the Mayor Councilor Josiah Makombe.
A disciplinary committee also found her guilty of gross inefficiency at the close of the disciplinary hearing before a disciplinary committee.
Ms Gwatipedza had argued through her legal representation that there is no specific provision in the Urban Councils Act which obliged her to take orders from the Mayor as she was supposed to act through council resolutions.
The development was confirmed by Gweru City Council spokesperson, Vimbai Changwaramuse, who however could not give more details on Gwatipedza’s case.
ZBC News saw correspondecies which reveal that Melusi Moyo of Dube-Banda, Nzarayapera legal practitioners presided over the case which stretched for over eight months.
Moyo recommended Gwatipedza’s dismissal with a resolution adopted by a special full council meeting held last Friday sealing her fate.
The development comes when there are pending corruption and abuse of office cases in various councils across the country.
More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/gweru-town-clerk-fired/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZBC News</a>

Gweru Town Clerk Has Been Fired

Three Gweru City Council employees died Friday afternoon after being involved in a tragic road accident in Featherstone on their way to Harare.
The incident was confirmed by Gweru City Council Spokesperson Vimbai Chingwaramusee who however did not divulge more about the tragedy.
Sources who spoke to NewZimbabwe claimed the trio was headed for Harare where they had been sent by the Acting Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe to repossess a vehicle that was allocated to former city Director of Engineering Services Robson Manatsa who resigned early this year. Said the source:
<blockquote>The employees had been sent by the Acting Town Clerk to go and forcefully repossess a vehicle that had been allocated to Former Director of Engineering Services as a condition of service vehicle. When he left Council, Chikwekwe did not want him to take the vehicle with him.</blockquote>
The three Gweru employees who are believed to be MDC Alliance members have been identified as Hosiah, Lewis Rufasha and Sydney Mbewe.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/three-gweru-employees-perish-in-road-accident/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe</a>

Three Gweru Council Employees Perish In Accident

Gweru City Council (GCC) allegedly paid over $143 000 to three different companies for fixing the acting town clerk Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe’s vehicle.
Chikwekwe told the Chronicle that there was some form of miscommunication between departments leading to the payment to two other companies which had not done the job adding that efforts were underway to recover the money. He said:
<blockquote>Truth of the matter is one company did the job and was paid and it is the last company (Hitco Engineering). We first engaged Neat Panel beaters who failed and then Jorem Panel beaters and the two failed to deliver. They blamed Covid 19 for failing to deliver the job and we them went to Hitco Engineering who managed to deliver on the job done.
The other two were not supposed to be paid at all but we have since engaged our debt collection unit to get our money back,</blockquote>
The three companies paid for fixing the rear fog lamp, and repair of rear bumper are Neat Panel beaters ($11 341.00); Jorem Panel beaters ($13,035,00) and Hitco Engineering ($118,630,00) for fixing the same bumper, grillle, rear bumper lamps.
Other jobs done included spare wheel cover and attending to air conditioning.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/gweru-council-makes-irregular-payments/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a>

Gweru Council Pays 3 Companies For Services Rendered By One Company

A technical fault at Gweru’s Gwenoro waterworks has worsened the city’s water crisis, with several suburbs going for days without the precious liquid.
Gweru adopted a stringent water rationing regime as its main supply dams, Amapongokwe Dam and Gwenoro Dam are fast drying up. The dams are at 38 per cent and 17 per cent full, respectively.
Gweru City Council (GCC) public relations officer Vimbai Chingwaramuse on Tuesday told Chronicle that besides ageing equipment and low water levels in dams, power outages have compounded the city’s water challenges. She said:
<blockquote>The city is experiencing water challenges due to continuous technical faults at Gwenoro waterworks. Our technical team has been on the ground to solve the challenge. It is our hope that by tomorrow all will be well.</blockquote>
Chingwaramuse indicated that GCC was scrounging for money to buy three high lift water pumps for Amapongokwe Dam to increase pumping capacity.
She said Council is owed approximately $85 million by ratepayers and this has adversely affected service delivery and they are now relying more on donations.
Suburbs such as Mkoba One, 15, 18 and 19, Ascot Infill and Harben Park are going for weeks without water.
Council constructed an elevated water tank at the edge of Village 14 which was supposed to supply water to suburbs on high ground such as Mkoba 15, 19 and 20.
However, the tank was functional for a short period before it broke down.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/water-crisis-looms-in-gweru/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Broken Pumps Worsen Gweru's Water Crisis

The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission will reportedly start investigating Gweru City Council after the city’s councillors reportedly reported the management for abusing the council’s resources which has affected service delivery, Sunday News reports.
The matter came to light in an interview when Gweru City Mayor Josiah Makombe said they have invited ZACC to investigate corruption allegations at the council:
<blockquote>The audit exposed a lot of things. It exposed corruption at the local authority. I have said it over and over again that there is serious corruption at council and we need to deal with it if we are really sincere when it comes to improving service delivery.
This money is ratepayers’ money. It is our money as residents. Some of the issues are the packages that the directors and other managers are getting which are ridiculous. That needs to be revisited. Following the forensic audit report we have invited Zacc to come and look into the issues of corruption at council. We want them to investigate the matters raised. We will not leave any stone unturned.</blockquote>
ZACC will reportedly start the investigations this week and ZACC spokesperson John Makamure said they will definitely respond to a report submitted by Gweru City Council.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/zacc-targets-gweru-city-council/">Sunday News </a>

Gweru City Council Invites ZACC To Investigate Corruption Allegations At The Council

Gweru City Council has introduced a new tariff schedule for this year which will see residents parting ways with huge amounts of money for erecting illegal structures and or houses without approved plans.
The move has been criticised by Gweru Residents Forum director Charles Mazorodze who said the local government authority hiked tariffs without consulting residents.  Reads the schedule in part:
<blockquote>Commercial per plan building from $7 500 to $177 364, industrial per plan building $10 000 to $236 485 and institutional per plan building from $5 000 to $188 243.</blockquote>
It also observed that the building penalty for unapproved plans in high-density areas has been hiked from $1 500 to $35 473, medium-density from $2 000 to $47 297, while that of low-density suburbs has been increased from $2 500 to $59 121.
The schedule also indicated that construction of houses in high-density areas without council inspection now attracts a fine of $3 547 from $150; medium-density $4 730 from $200 and low-density, $5 912 from $250 while developing commercial stands without municipal inspection will attract a penalty of $17 736 from $750.
The local council’s mayor, Josiah Makombe, said the tariffs were in line with the prevailing market forces adding that the tariff regime also changed mainly due to the existing macroeconomic environment, which is hyperinflationary.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/">NewsDay</a>

Heavy Fines For Illegal Structures And Unapproved Plans- Council

Gweru City Council has resolved to lease the mayoral mansion after three companies expressed interest in renting the structure.
Town clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza told The Herald on Tuesday that the mansion was being evaluated to determine its true value. She said:
<blockquote>We have received expressions of interest for the mayoral mansion and we have about three companies that want (to rent) the mansion.
So, we are now doing a technical and financial evaluation and this stage needs to be done and a decision will be made on those who responded to the call for expressions of interest.</blockquote>
Previously the City’s acting finance director Mr Owen Masimba revealed plans to convert the mansion into an accommodation and events centre. He said then:
<blockquote>As part of our planned capital projects for this year, we intend to enter into a joint venture with a potential partner to turn the mayoral mansion into an accommodation and events centre.
We have set aside a budget of $300 000 to renovate the mansion, and we have since flighted an advert for expressions of interest for the project.
We should be able to hire out the mansion so that it can bring revenue to the council.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gweru-to-lease-mayoral-mansion/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Gweru Mayoral Mansion To Be Leased

The City of Gweru suspended its decision to shoot all stray dogs and donkeys after the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) dragged it to court over the proposed move.
This was revealed by Gweru City Council (GCC) housing and community services director Shingirayi Tigere while responding to queries from residents in Mkoba on why the municipality was not shooting stray animals. Said Tigere:
<blockquote>I have heard the concerns of residents on what the council is doing in dealing with stray dogs and donkeys.
But, unfortunately, we had to stop the shoot-to-kill policy after the SPCA took us to court over the matter. The issue is still in court, hence we cannot proceed with the decision.</blockquote>
In June, GCC resolved to kill stray dogs following an upsurge in cases of humans being bitten by rabid dogs and donkeys which were becoming a nuisance.
The move was however blocked by the SPCA which felt that the council was violating animal rights.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/09/gweru-sued-over-shoot-to-kill-policy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Gweru City Council Sued For Violating Animal Rights

Gweru City Council (GCC) workers have given the city fathers a 14-day strike notice. They are demanding a cost of living adjustment and salary increase.
The notice was signed by the Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers’ Union’s (ZUCWU) Gweru branch secretary, Ambrose Hwande according to Southern Eye. The notice reads:
<blockquote>Notice is hereby given that from August 13, 2019, City of Gweru employees will engage in a demonstration and picketing.
From August 22, it will be a total withdrawal of labour against the employer’s insensitivity to employees’ cost of living adjustment and allowances request.</blockquote>
ZUCWU secretary-general and Midlands chairperson of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Kudakwashe Munengiwa threw his weight behind the workers. He said:
<blockquote>What the workers are demanding is a cost of living adjustment of $500 across the board which should be immediately paid and then adjustment of the salaries to match the prevailing US dollar rate on the interbank market.
The employer is paying new prices that have been adjusted on every service rendered like fuel and hotel bills when officials travel. The only thing they have not adjusted are the salaries of their employees.</blockquote>
Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe urged workers to be patient and wait until the supplementary budget is approved.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/08/gweru-workers-residents-gang-up-against-council/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Gweru City Council Workers Issue 14-day Strike Notice

An audit report carried out by the Gweru City Council has revealed that water leaks detection equipment donated two years ago is lying idle.
The equipment was donated by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and a local company, Zimit.
The council’s engineering department is failing to use the equipment. Part of the report produced by the probe team reads:
<blockquote>An audit carried at council indicated that GIZ and Zimit Company donated water loss equipment to the council in 2017, but the apparatus is not being utilised.
The equipment comprises of leak locators which are not being used by the engineering department as confirmed by the audit.
Loss of water through leaks is rampant as the department (engineering) lacks appetite or capacity to attend to these leaks well mindful of the fact that water (supply) is treated.</blockquote>
Gweru loses at least 57 per cent of treated water through leakages, according to a 2018 report.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/08/gweru-water-equipment-lying-idle/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Gweru Council Engineers Neglect Donated Equipment

Gweru City Council is looking into the secret sale of the Kudzanayi long-distance bus rank to Harare investor.
The land upon which the Kudzanayi rank and council’s works yard are located was bought by a Harare company, Polipena Investments (Pvt) Limited ostensibly without the council’s knowledge.
The piece of land which measures 1,85 hectares, was reportedly sold for $Z100 million (US$120 million) in February 2004.
Gweru City Council is now working to retain the rank and reverse the sale, a development confirmed by city mayor Josiah Makombe. He said:
<blockquote>We are a new council and we cannot afford to short-change our people.
We have set up an investigation following reports of the sale of the terminus, which came out in the media late last year.
We want to get to the bottom of the matter and our wish is to retain the rank.
We have been engaging with our finance department to find out if the council received the said money for the sale of the rank.
However, we have not seen the transaction on our papers.
We have since communicated this position to the company which bought the rank to provide us with proof of payment. So far, they have not shown it to us.</blockquote>
Lovemore Reketayi, the Gweru Vendors’ Association chairperson, took the council to task after The Standard published a story about the sale of the property. Said Reketayi:
<blockquote>We were never consulted. My membership only became aware of that transaction through the grapevine and then later when the story was published.
This (Kudzanayi) is public property and as I said before, we were supposed to have been given the first right of refusal if it had been put up for sale.
Now that an investigation has been launched to ascertain what happened, we only pray the so-called deal is cancelled because it was done irregularly.</blockquote>
The buyer of the property is believed to be planning to construct a shopping mall on the site. This will leave thousands of people who are involved in vending at the rank stranded.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2019/05/26/gweru-probes-secret-sale-bus-rank/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Standard</a></h4>

Gweru City Council Seeks To Reverse The Sale Of Kudzanayi Rank

An Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) exercise meant to benchmark the level of services delivered by Gweru City Council has revealed that about half of the senior management at the municipality is under-qualified for posts held.
The exercise revealed that the under-qualified staff who constitute 47,9 percent is within the senior and middle management. The exercise however did not specify the exact positions which are held by the under qualified personnel.
The chairperson of the review committee, Mr Malvin Dondo attributed corporate governance issues  at the council to under qualified managers running the city.
It is believed that engineers from Germany saved the local government from borrowing  borrowing $10 million that was meant to buy new water infrastructure. The engineers are said to have managed to establish and fix a single water valve that was preventing water from flowing into Kopje reservoir tanks for the past 15 years.
Resultantly, the council only paid transport costs for the engineers.
<h3>Related:</h3>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/04/10/89782/" rel="bookmark">Power Line To Gweru Waterworks Vandalised By Suspected Thieves</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-479-of-gweru-city-staff-not-qualified/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a>
<div class="sirius-dfp-inarticle"></div>

47.9% Of Gweru City Council Workers Are Under-qualified - Audit

<blockquote>
CITY OF GWERU

PRESS RELEASE

City of Gweru wishes to advise its valued residents that there are repairs and maintenance works going on at Gwenhoro water treatment plant. Meanwhile, we have stopped pumping operations to allow repairs to take place. There will be no water supplies throughout the city tomorrow (05 April 2019). Water supplies are expected to resume on Saturday 06 April 2019. Residents should bear with us and any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted. Our staff is currently working tirelessly so that water supply resumes.

Gweru City: “A Sustainable Prosperous City Of Choice by 2030” 
Ms E. Gwatipedza TON. Clerk
</blockquote>

FULL TEXT: Gweru City Council Announces A Dry Friday

Gweru City Council spokesperson, Manford Gambiza, told Southern Eye that the city’s water will last for only seven months
He said Gwenhoro’s low water levels were due to poor inflows during the 2018/2019 season which was characterised by long dry spells. Said Gambiza:
<blockquote>This can only last us for seven months. We urge residents to, accordingly, use water sparingly and also to speedily report burst pipes. We can benefit fully from the remaining water that we have by preserving it as much as possible. The quick solution to the water crisis will be to switch to Amaphongokwe Dam, which is currently at 80% full. The water it has can last the city for the next 19 months. However, for the city to start receiving water supplies from that dam we need about $2 million so that the pumping system there is upgraded to the required levels to meet the increased demand to sustain the whole of Gweru.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/03/gweru-left-with-7-months-water-supply/">NewsDay</a>

Gweru Left With 7 Months' Water Supply

The City of Gweru is set to install 38 000 prepaid water meters in a bid to increase revenue collection. The move is also aimed at reducing the default rate on bills. Gweru has of late been struggling to supply its resident with adequate clean water on a consistent basis.
While presenting the 2019 budget, acting finance director for Gweru City, Owen Masimba, had this to say
<blockquote>The major highlights of the 2019 budget include, among other things, the rolling out of 38 000 smart water meters, upgrading and rehabilitation of water and sewer infrastructure, a major road rehabilitation exercise, introduction of ICT and computerisation of systems and the upgrading of Ascot Stadium.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Gweru residents have vowed to resist the council’s move. They say such a move
<blockquote>would exclude many from accessing potable water, while exposing residents to waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.</blockquote>
<h2>Related:</h2>
 
<h3>More: Newsday</h3>

Gweru City Council To Install Prepaid Water Meters In Bid To Reduce Bill Defaulters

Speaking to NewsDay, Gweru Mayor Charles Chikozho confirmed that Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere lifted the ban on the sale of residential stands in Gweru’s newly-created Mkoba 21 suburb.
Said Chikozho:
<blockquote>We made an application on June 20 last year to the ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing seeking authority to sell stands in Mkoba 21. The minister (Kasukuwere) has now allowed us to sell the stands and we are now working on modalities to develop the stands.</blockquote>
Recently, council warned members of the public against buying stands from a private developer, Just Home Properties, which they accused of selling stands without the approval of the local authority.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/09/07/kasukuwere-okays-sale-gweru-stands/">NewsDay</a>

Kasukuwere lifts ban on the sale of Gweru residential stands

Gweru Residents’ Forum (GRF) has rejected council’s plan to introduce prepaid water meters. Gweru City Council recently said it was looking for partners to upgrade its water reticulation system and install prepaid water meters as part of measures to boost revenue collection.
However, GRF director Charles Mazorodze said that the move to install prepaid meters is meant to disadvantage unemployed and poor citizens, Said Mazorodze:
<blockquote>It is saddening to realise that the people whom we elected to represent our interests as Gweru residents are at the forefront of ensuring exclusion of the poor, unemployed and the senior citizens from consuming water. While we appreciate that residents have an obligation of paying for their water usage, the current water and property tax regimes charging in excess of between $100 and $150 are beyond the reach of many residents who are generally unemployed.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/06/23/gweru-residents-reject-pre-paid-water-meters/">NewsDay</a>

Gweru residents reject council plans to introduce prepaid water meters

The residents of Gweru have slammed the local council for not fencing off a 30m high water reservoir in Mkoba. According to the residents, four people have committed suicide by jumping off the tower this year. T<a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/news/2017/04/11/16-year-old-boy-jumps-death-30-metre-high-reservoir-mother-scolds-sex/" target="_blank">he latest suicide was 16-year old Jimmy Tichaona Chivende of Mkoba 13 Suburb who allegedly killed himself after his mother reprimanded him for having sex with his girlfriend</a>.
The residents said the decommissioned reservoir should be taken down or be fenced off.
Gweru City Council engineer Mr Robson Manatsa said the local authority has decided to erect a boundary around the reservoir.
<blockquote>Cases of suicide are escalating each day in the Mkoba 14 area due to the isolated water reservoir tank, so in order to minimise the cases, we have decided to erect either a perimeter fence or a precast wall to avoid unauthorised entry.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/residents-slam-council-over-suicide-tower/">Chronicle</a>

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