By Agencies
Zimbabwe’s urban and rural council officials blew thousands of United States dollars after they were “directed” to attend First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s cooking event held in Victoria Falls last week, it has emerged.
The Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) is said to have directed all urban councils to support the event.
UCAZ secretary-general Livison Mutekede wrote to urban councils saying leaders from the country’s 92 local authorities should attend the programme.
The association advised the local authorities to foot their bills including accommodation, transport and subsistence allowances.
“The United Nations African Gastronomy Forum in Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Angel of Hope Foundation will be holding a regional cookout competition and nhanga/gota programme where the region will be showcasing skills in preparing traditional dishes from their countries,” read the letter dated July 18 seen by NewsDay.
“On the 27th of July 2024, there will be a ground-breaking ceremony of the school of cookout, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.
UCAZ secretary-general Livison Mutekede wrote to urban councils saying leaders from the country’s 92 local authorities should attend the programme.
The association advised the local authorities to foot their bills including accommodation, transport and subsistence allowances.
“The United Nations African Gastronomy Forum in Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Angel of Hope Foundation will be holding a regional cookout competition and nhanga/gota programme where the region will be showcasing skills in preparing traditional dishes from their countries,” read the letter dated July 18 seen by NewsDay.
“On the 27th of July 2024, there will be a ground-breaking ceremony of the school of cookout, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.
“In view of the foregoing, town clerks, secretaries and mayors and chairpersons are being invited to the cookout competition and nhanga/gota programme and the ground-breaking ceremony which will be held in Victoria Falls from 26 to 28 July, 2024,” he said.
The officials travelled between July 25 and 29.
Sources at urban councils yesterday said officials received between US$7 000 and US$10 000 as allowances for the trip to Victoria Falls.
“According to the UCAZ letter, the town clerks, mayors [for town councils and cities], chief executives and chairpersons [for rural district councils] were supposed to attend.
“Mind you whenever the programme involves the First Family, no one wants to be left out as it might be viewed as sabotage and not in support of government programmes.
They also revealed that at least US$2 840 is required for five days after driving to Victoria Falls.
The sources said an official was entitled to US$120 in travel and subsistence allowance per day hence US$600 for five days.
“An official can get US$1 000 for accommodation, US$600 for fuel (for example, someone travelling from Mutare), US$500 for entertainment and US$140 for toll fees,” the sources said.
They said an official who opted to fly to Victoria Falls could get as much as US$3 000 for five days after flying to the event because they would need at least US$900 for car hire at US$180 per day.
“We could be conservative on accommodation, but knowing Victoria Falls the rates could be higher especially for the fact that these high profile people will opt for executive rooms,” they said.
Residents’ representatives from across Zimbabwe condemned the UCAZ directive which comes at a time when service delivery has virtually collapsed in local authorities.
