BPRA Weekend Activities Alert (26 & 27 January 2013)

                                         

This weekend (26-27 January 2013) Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) will be holding four consultative meetings in the wards. The meetings will provide platforms for residents to engage with representatives from the Bulawayo City Council (BCC)  and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on pertinent issues to do with the operations of the two institutions.

The consultative meetings are meant to discuss service delivery issues at ward level. ZRP is expected to address the residents on police operations and security while BCC is expected to give the residents feedback on the water crisis in Bulawayo, the local authority’s faulty billing system and other service delivery issues related to the work of BCC. The idea behind the holding of the meetings is to promote a culture of accountability in the operations of service providers so that the concerns of residents are addressed and service delivery improved.

Meetings schedule

DATE	WARD	VENUE	TIME	AGENDA
26/01/2013	22	Nkulumane Hall	10am – 1pm	BCC and ZRP Operations
26/01/2013	19	Pumula Old Hall	2pm – 5pm	BCC and ZRP operations
27/01/2013	15	Beit Hall	10am – 1pm	BCC and ZRP Operations
27/01/2013	17	Pumula North Hall	2pm – 5pm	BCC and ZRP Operations

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 773 788 183

Website: www.bulawayoresidents.org

“Residents not Ready for Electricity Tariff Hike” – BPRA tells ZERA

Bulawayo residents, under the aegis of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) on Friday 30 November 2012 told the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) that the residents of Bulawayo and citizens of Zimbabwe at large will not be able to cope with a hike in electricity tariffs. The residents were speaking at a meeting held between ZERA representatives and members of BPRA who included chairpersons from the association’s various committees across the city. ZERA is holding meetings with stakeholders across the country to get their input regarding a proposal by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to increase tariffs.

Residents told the ZERA representatives that residents would not be able to pay their bills if tariffs were increased due to the harsh economic climate in the country that was making it difficult for them to pay their electricity dues at the current rates. They argued that if there was a tariff adjustment, it would have to be downwards as service delivery by ZESA was appalling, and residents struggling to settle their bills. BPRA also used the meeting to register its dismay with continued load shedding in the country, and continued disconnection of residents with outstanding bills. The residents also argued that an increase in tariffs should be preceded by an improvement in quality of services by ZESA, not the other way round.

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 773 788 183

Website: www.bprazim.org

BPRA Holds Social Accountability Conference

Residents follow proceedings at a conference held by Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) last year

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) will on Saturday 10 November 2012 hold a Social Accountability Conference meant to provide a platform for residents to dialogue with ministers in the inclusive government on critical issues of development and governance. The conference, which will be held at the Large City Hall from 0900hrs to 1700hrs will run under the theme “The Right to Know.” The main objective of the conference is to strengthen the role of residents as engaged partners in the governance process and to stimulate local participation through engagement between the residents and holders of public office.  At least 1200 delegates, mostly residents’ leaders from all of Bulawayo’s 29 wards are expected to attend the conference. Other delegates will be drawn from political parties, civil society and the religious sector. Speakers expected at the conference include the Minister of Water Resources Development and Management, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, the Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, Honourable Gorden Moyo, the Minister of Education, Sports Arts and Culture, Hon David Coltart and the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Welshman Ncube. Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Thokozani Khupe is expected to officially open the conference.

The holding of the Social Accountability Conference is based on BPRA’s belief that holders of public office should account to citizens for the work they do, as they are ultimately in office at their behest and meant to advance public interests. In line with this, the various ministers are expected to account to the residents of Bulawayo, explaining what their ministries have been doing towards enhancing development and promoting the welfare of residents.  Minister Sipepa is expected to update residents on what his ministry is doing to end Bulawayo’s water woes. He is expected to focus on progress with the Mtshabezi pipeline, the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project and other projects meant to end Matabeleland’s water problems. Meanwhile, Minister Moyo is expected to dwell on progress being made by his ministry to resuscitate parastatals in light of the fact that most of them are under-capitalised and failing to operate profitably and competitively. Minister Coltart is expected to update residents on steps being taken by the government to improve education in the country, and particularly in Matabeleland which has complained of marginalisation in education. Lastly, Minister Ncube is expected to appraise residents on efforts by his ministry to improve the performance of industries as a central tool towards spurring economic growth in the country. Inevitably, he will also have to answer questions on the issue of the Distressed and Marginalised Areas Fund (DIMAF) which most people feel has failed to solve problems of de-industrialisation in Matabeleland.

This will not be the first time that BPRA holds a conference of this nature. The association held its first Social Accountability Conference in 2012 which was attended by 800 delegates. Its follow up conference, a Service Delivery Conference which was held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on 11 September 2012 was graced by 2000 delegates.

Alert – BPRA Weekend Activities (2, 3 and 4 November 2012)

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association shall be holding Constituency Consultative Meetings in Bulawayo this weekend to unpack the COPAC Draft Constitution to the residents of Bulawayo. The moral imperative behind the initiative is to augment and reinforce mechanisms of popular control by bringing Members of Parliament, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and residents to a point of dialogue  concerning the draft constitution and solidify their position regarding the direction which the country should take, ahead of the referendum. It is the conviction of the association that there is need to minimise the hegemony of political parties in dominating the debates  around the remaining stages of the constitution making process and to take the discussions to the communities to ensure that residents become engaged and informed partners.

The schedule for the meetings is as follows:

 Upcoming Constituency Meetings Schedule

Date	Constituency	Time	Venue	speakers
Fri. 2 Nov.	City Centre & Sauerstown, Trenace	1600hrs-1900hrs	Presbyterian Church (City Church)	COPAC representatives, CSO and BPRA representatives
Sat. 3 Nov.	Makhokhoba, Thorngrove &B.F, Mzilikazi	1400hrs-1700hrs	Stanley  Hall	COPAC representatives, CSO and BPRA representatives
Sat. 3 Nov.	Sizinda/  Tshabalala & B.G, Bellevue	1400hrs-1700hrs	Tshabalala Hall	COPAC representatives, CSO and BPRA representatives
Sun. 4 Nov.	Nketa 6, 7, 8, 9 & Emganwini	1000hrs-1300hrs	Nketa Hall	COPAC representatives, CSO and BPRA representatives
Sun. 4 Nov.	Suburbs, Queen’s Park, Waterford & Burnside	1400hrs-1700hrs	School of Mines	COPAC representatives, CSO and BPRA representatives

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 772 516 729

Website: www.bulawayoresidents.org

Twitter: @byopra

Facebook: www.facebook/uhlelo.lwezakhamizi

Blog: bprainfo.blogspot.com

Press Release - Mayor's Comments on Emganwini Demonstration Disturbing

Press Release - 30 October 2012

Date:               30 October 2012

Contact:         Emmanuel Ndlovu

                        Programmes and Advocacy Manager

                        Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)

            Mayor’s Comments on Emganwini Demonstration Disturbing

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) is concerned that the Mayor of Bulawayo, Thaba Moyo does not understand his mandate as the Mayor of the city as witnessed by his response to the demonstration that was held by residents from the Millennium Housing Area in Emganwini last week. The residents on Friday 26 October 2012 stormed Nketa Housing Office demanding ownership of the houses that were built by Australian donors and allocated to them 10 years ago. They called for an explanation from the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) arguing that in their understanding the houses were completely paid for hence they did not understand why they have to pay monthly rentals over and above service charges. In his response, the Mayor reportedly said the local authority was not going to do “anything until they (the residents) talk to us (the local authority) using proper channels.” He also reportedly argued that the houses were “specifically for renting purposes.”

BPRA believes that Mayor Moyo was out of order in making the above statements. It is the association’s belief that the local authority, and particularly the Mayor and councillors are in their positions at the behest of the residents and should focus on addressing the concerns of the residents. For the Mayor to boldly declare in a national newspaper that the local authority will not respond to the residents’ concerns is a sign of arrogance and is tantamount to negligence of duty. BPRA sees the Mayor’s remarks as emblematic of a culture of self importance and arrogance that characterises holders of public office in the country who fail to prioritise the interests of the masses because they develop a god complex once they get into positions of power. BPRA would like to remind holders of public office such as Mayor Moyo that they were voted into their offices by the residents and should always thrive to work in the interests of the residents and avoid putting their egos in the way of developmental work.

It is the association’s contention that the concerns raised by the residents of Emganwini’s Millennium Housing Scheme are genuine and need to be urgently addressed by BCC. For the Mayor to say the residents used improper channels is neither here nor there as the message in the petitions and the placards they were waving was clear. BPRA believes BCC should put its ego aside and address the residents as quickly as possible.

Regards

............................................................

Emmanuel Ndlovu

Programmes Manager

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)

Residents Call for BCC Water Bowsers

Weekend Meetings Review – 29/10/2012

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) yesterday (Sunday 28 October 2012) held two meetings to discuss the water crisis in Bulawayo where some residents revealed that they were only receiving water for periods of less than an hour each week. The meetings were held in Mpopoma (ward 9) and Nkulumane (ward 23) where residents got an opportunity to dialogue with their respective councillors on the current water situation in the city. Speaking at the meeting held in ward 9, residents of Matshobane complained that they seldom have water as they are located on high ground, and often go for as long as one week without water, with the water only coming for about forty five minutes once a week. They said what made matters worse was that the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) bowser that brings water to the area parks in Mpopoma where water supply is stable, further worsening the plight of Matshobana residents as they have to compete for water with Mpopoma residents. In Nkulumane, residents similarly said they were going for long periods without water and called upon BCC to avail water in bowsers to the area to ensure that residents at least have enough water to meet basic needs.

BCC has previously acknowledged that areas on higher ground are being affected more by water shedding due to gravity. Thus while water may be turned on as stipulated in the city council water shedding timetable, some areas do not receive even a drop of water by the time water is closed again for the next round of water shedding. While BPRA is aware that Bulawayo is facing a grave water situation that necessitates extended water shedding, the association is appalled that the local authority is not putting any measures in place to ensure that all residential areas get at least enough to meet basic requirements. As it stands, the rights of residents to access clean drinking water is being denied in many parts of the city. BPRA once again calls upon BCC to avail water bowsers in areas on high ground that are going for water shedding for longer periods than stipulated in the current water shedding timetable. So far, BPRA is aware that these areas are found in suburbs such as Njube, Matshobana, Old Magwegwe, Nkulumane 12, Entumbane, Emganwini and Pumula South.  

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 772 516 729

Website: www.bulawayoresidents.org

Twitter: @byopra

Facebook: www.facebook/uhlelo.lwezakhamizi

Blog: bprainfo.blogspot.com

   

Emganwini Residents Demonstrate Against BCC

Residents Voices – Issue 84  (26 October 2012)

Residents, mostly elderly women, demonstrating against the
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) this morning. 

DOZENS of residents from Emganwini’s Millenium Housing Scheme area in Bulawayo this morning besieged Nketa Housing Offices demanding title deeds for the houses they occupy and protesting the monthly rentals they are paying. After the demonstration, they left letters addressed to Bulawayo Mayor, Councilor Thaba Moyo, Town Clerk Middleton Nyoni and the city’s Director of Housing and Community Services, Isaiah Magagula stating their demands. A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA).

In the letter, the residents said they felt aggrieved by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) which they accused of fleecing them by demanding payment for houses whose cost they said  was covered by donors. They argued that the Millennium Housing Scheme was aimed at improving the livelihood of poor residents who were living in squalor at Sidojiwe Hostels following intervention by donors who financed the whole project. The residents thus argued that they were not meant to be paying rentals for the houses, since the cost of the houses was covered by donors, not the local authority.

In interviews during the demonstration, the residents revealed that they had resorted to staging a demonstration after efforts to engage in dialogue with the Mayor on the issue proved fruitless.

“We held a meeting with the Mayor more than a month ago, and he promised that he would facilitate a meeting between us (Emganwini Millenium Housing residents’ leaders) and BCC officials including himself, the director of housing and the director of financial services. He said he was going to contact us, but until now, we haven’t heard from him,” said one of the residents’ leaders who declined to be named. “This demonstration is therefore an attempt to get the attention of the council on this issue, so that something is done to immediately solve the problem,” she said.

The residents revealed that they had accrued massive bills due to the monthly rentals they pay over and above service charges, which are pegged at $42 per month. As a result, they said most of them had had their water disconnected on numerous occasions and lived in fear of having their property seized by the local authority for failure to pay the rentals.

While BPRA does not have BCC’s side on the issue, the association is taking the demands of the residents seriously and believes that it is important for BCC to move swiftly towards addressing the concerns of the residents. BPRA is concerned that there seem to be information gaps on the handling of the Millenium Housing Scheme in Emganwini which could have compromised transparency and accountability in the scheme. The association thus calls upon BCC to immediately avail information on what the Millenium Housing Scheme entailed and also address the residents of Emganwini on their concerns.

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 772 516 729

Website: www.bulawayoresidents.org

Twitter: @byopra

Facebook: www.facebook/uhlelo.lwezakhamizi

Blog: bprainfo.blogspot.com