Ellen Mlambo

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – The country’s 60 rural district councils under their umbrella body the Association of Rural District Councils in Zimbabwe (ARDCZ) last week held their fourth Annual General Meeting where they among other things discussed budgets and issues affecting members.
However, The Mirror would not be allowed into the meetings.

The meeting was held at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo.

ARDCZ Secretary General Isaac Matsilele spoke to The Mirror and said the meeting was to adopt the Association’s budget for 2023, receive audit and finance statements and to come up with the annual program for the association.

Matsilele said the association does lobby, advocacy and representation of its members who are the local authorities.

“Every year, in terms of our constitution, we hold an annual general conference to adopt the budget for the year, receive audit and finance statements and to receive the annual program for the association. We operate as a membership organisation and the 60 rural district councils are the members who pay subscriptions so that the association does its work,” he added.

The association holds elective congresses every five years in which the president and other executive members are chosen.

The current national executive is led by Makoni RDC chairperson, David Guy Mutasa who is the president. Marondera RDC councillor Taurai Chikukwa, first vice president and Mbire RDC Alderman Ronald Chidongo who is the second vice president.

Mutasa said the objective of the annual General Congress was to discuss issues affecting local authorities.

“In any organisation, you meet so that you are guided by the general principles of accountability and transparency. We are discussing issues affecting local authorities and welfare of councillors,” said Mutasa.

Last year the AGC was held in Mutare.