Brunette Tshuma
Member of Parliament, Descent Bajila, of Luveve constituency is advocating for transparency in office through property declaration to tackle corruption and resolve land and water issues in Bulawayo.
At a meeting hosted by Transparency International Zimbabwe and BPRA at City Hall, Bulawayo, residents expressed grievances over governance policies surrounding water and land. Bajila proposed the Finance Amendment Bill, requiring officials to declare properties before and after duty, to reduce corruption.
“As things stand, councilors must also fall under the Finance Amendment Bill. I believe declaring assets is crucial to combating land corruption,” Bajila emphasized.
He suggested increasing the frequency of declarations from every five years to annually for enhanced transparency.
Residents shared concerns about land corruption, with Pumula South resident Mrs. A Marezwa worrying about future generations owning homes.
“Will our children ever own houses, or will they die without owning any?” she asked.
Political analyst Mr. Effie Ncube noted,
“Houses are now reserved for the wealthy, while the poor remain tenants.”
Another resident, Thandekile Moyo, expressed frustration: “How can we pay for what we don’t have?”
Bajila stressed, “Politics should be set aside to address these life-threatening issues, as people are dying.”
Despite discussions, residents left frustrated by the absence of councilors and town clerks, hoping those present would escalate their concerns to higher authorities to root out corruption in Bulawayo.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe has also been working to improve institutional capacity and effectiveness in public oversight and accountability.
Key Concerns:
- Land Corruption: Residents worry about future generations owning homes.
- Water Issues: Bulawayo faces severe challenges.
- Lack of Transparency: Residents feel councilors and town clerks aren’t addressing concerns.
Proposed Solutions:
- Finance Amendment Bill: Requires officials to declare properties before and after duty.
- Annual Declarations: Increases transparency.
- Land Corruption_: Ensures housing affordability for all.
Zim GBC News©2024