Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. By Bulawayo Correspondent –
BULAWAYO city council has started 2022 budget consultation as well as 2021 budget performance review meetings despite concerns from the residents.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) last week wrote a letter to the Bulawayo city council raising concern over council‘s decision to conduct the two processes over social media.
The residents argued that they were also not comfortable with using What App groups saying the method has proved to be a failure during the past.
The local authority however this week issued a statement informing residents about the meetings.
According to the statement, ward representatives and informal traders met Tuesday meet at the large City Hall.
The business community and the media will be virtually consulted on September 29 while civic society and churches will be engaged on September 30.
According to statement, residents will consulted through Whatsapp groups where they will be given the opportunity to share their inputs with their councilors and council staff.
A separate group was created for the youth to contribute to the budget and they will be engaged on September 30 via WhatsApp. The MDC Alliance also criticized council for insisting on WhatsApp meetings.
“Previous consultations done on WhatApp have disadvantaged a majority of Bulawayo residents. There is no need to insist on WhatsApp meetings when Covid-19 regulations allow 100 people to meet. Physical meetings are the way to go,” said Swithern Chirowodza , the party ‘s Bulawayo provincial spokesperson.
