Harare Correspondent
Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa, has blocked two councilors from attending a workshop in South Africa, citing that the program is tailored for technical persons, not policy makers.
This decision will save the local authority an estimated $10,000 in airfares, accommodation, and allowances.
The workshop, scheduled for November 11-12, 2024, in Cape Town, is part of the Performance Achievement Workshop Series (PAWS) hosted by ROCKBlue, a South African-based Non-Governmental Organization.
ROCKBlue will cover conference and accommodation costs for three participants, excluding councilors.
Mukaratirwa emphasized that the workshop is designed for experts, and policy makers would not benefit from attending.
“This is a conference for experts, and policy makers would be left out because everyone will be contributing,” he said.
He also noted that Cabinet would likely reject the trip, even if he sanctioned it.
Councilor Richard Musekiwa countered,
“We don’t understand what you mean when you say too technical. We agreed as a council to send two councilors because it is important for us to attend.”
He highlighted the importance of learning about non-revenue water and other engineering issues to make informed decisions.
Finance Director Danister Jori clarified that local authorities will be represented by technocrats. He suggested engaging ROCKBlue to accommodate policy makers in future engagements, if necessary.
Key Points:
- Workshop Purpose: Improve performance of partner utilities in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector
- Host Organization: ROCKBlue, a South African-based Non-Governmental Organization
- Cost Savings: Estimated $10,000 in airfares, accommodation, and allowances
- Representatives: Local authorities will be represented by technocrats, not policy makers.
This decision reflects the importance of ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently and effectively, while also acknowledging the need for policy makers to stay informed about technical issues.
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