{"id":9653,"date":"2025-09-29T12:46:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T12:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/?p=9653"},"modified":"2025-09-29T12:46:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T12:46:32","slug":"ministers-absence-in-lupane-raises-questions-over-provincial-capitals-functionality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/?p=9653","title":{"rendered":"Minister&#8217;s Absence in Lupane Raises Questions Over Provincial Capital&#8217;s Functionality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BULAWAYO \u2013 The Matabeleland North Provincial Minister of State, Richard Moyo, is yet to relocate to his official office in Lupane, raising questions in Parliament about the government&#8217;s commitment to fully operationalizing the provincial capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The issue was brought to the fore by Hwange East legislator, Joseph Bonda, who highlighted the frustrations of citizens and business operators forced to travel to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls for essential government services, such as liquor licensing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor example, the Liquor Licence department is currently operating from Mhlahlandlela in Bulawayo,\u201d Bonda stated, challenging the government&#8217;s progress on decentralisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In response, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, claimed that the Lupane Composite Office had been handed over and that \u201cmost of the departments have been allocated and are now at the composite office.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Bonda directly countered the Minister&#8217;s assertion, pointing to the absence of the province&#8217;s own top official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShould we have any challenges in the province we are actually travelling to Bulawayo?\u201d Bonda asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo, when exactly are we going to have those offices starting from the minister of state operating from the province?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He expressed concern that the Lupane Welshman Mabhena Complex is fast becoming a \u201cwhite elephant and derelict\u201d while key officials remain stationed in Bulawayo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Marian Chombo, acknowledged the delays, confirming that Minister Moyo has not yet occupied his office or official residency in Lupane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI would like to let you know that a few modalities are still being worked out,\u201d Chombo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor example, accommodation is still being constructed for these various officials.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She assured Parliament that once the Public Works Department finalises accommodation, the offices will be occupied, paving the way for \u201ca devolved service provision for the people in Matabeleland North.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow Zim GBC News on Social Media:<br>\u00b7 X (Twitter): @ZimGbc<br>\u00b7Instagram: @ZimGBCNews<br>\u00b7TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01<br>\u00b7Facebook: Zim GBC News<br>\u00b7YouTube: Zim GBC News<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:<br>+263 773 820 323<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Zim GBC News <\/strong>| Global News From An African Perspective\u00a92025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube BULAWAYO \u2013 The Matabeleland North Provincial Minister of State, Richard Moyo, is yet to relocate to his official office in Lupane, raising questions in Parliament about the&hellip; 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