PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday promised to increase sitting allowances for all councillors under Rural District Councils (RDCs), including vehicles for council chairpersons.
He said the decision was arrived at following discussions with the Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe (ARDCZ) chairperson Guy Mutasa, amid realisation that councillors were not receiving enough salaries and allowances while the economy continued to deteriorate.
“I met the chairperson (Mutasa) in Victoria Falls sometime ago, and we agreed that councillors needed a raise. Today, he reminded me and I told him there was a package already in place for you. I have already instructed the Minister July Moyo to prepare the circular, which means you are getting your money any time soon,” Mnangagwa said.
Though he could not disclose the package, the President said the salary and allowances set to be received surpassed what the association was bargaining for.
“We know that the salaries and packages are not enough.
“ However, what we have agreed with Mutasa is more what you were all bargained for. On top of that, there are vehicles for council chairpersons, something that was not there before,” he said.
Mnangagwa said RDCs were core in government’s devolution efforts, hence the need to equip them with all the resources needed.
Currently, councillors are getting ZWL250 while council chairpersons receive ZWL500 as allowances.
One council chairperson who spoke to Zim Morning Post welcomed the move, saying:
“We are hoping that these vehicles will now be used even on a daily basis because currently, as the chairperson, I cannot use the vehicle on other personal business.
“ I cannot even visit my ward with the vehicle yet MPs who do not work directly with the people have free passage with their vehicles,” the councillor said.
Presently, council chairpersons use council vehicles for council businesses and leave them behind at the close of business.
The move to increase councillors’ allowances comes at a time government employees have declared incapacitation, demanding that they be paid in United States dollar denominated salaries.
Well received, thanks.Noted with thanks.Received, thank you.
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