By Lovemore Chazingwa
Kadoma Council has expanded the Mayor’s Cheer Fund and will seek to assist the vulnerable, even outside the festive season.
Mayor Nigel Ruzario said they have a more holistic approach.
“We want to remain visible and roll out programs under the fund from the beginning to the end of the year.
“Our strategy this time is holistic without having to rise during the festive season,” he said.
The fund has brought relief through its philanthropic work, helping many underprivileged people.
However, the efforts to expand have been met with suspicions by entities not invited to be part of the project.
This has been caused largely by the composition of the responsible sub-committee, which only has one resident association out of the 5 which are recognised.
Only the Kadoma Community Residents Association (KCRA) was included in the sub-committee.
The Chairperson of the Mayor’s Fund fundraising committee, Kudakwashe Gumbanjera, is also the Chairperson of the KCRA.
Left out are Greater Kadoma Residents and Ratepayers Association (GKRRA), Berina Residents Association (BRA), Kadoma Residents Association (KRA) and Kadoma Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Association (KPRRA).
Council Dispels Suspicions
However, Cllr Michael Mabwe, Chairperson of the Business, Economic Development and Investment Committee, under which the Mayor’s Cheer Fund sub-committee falls, said there was nothing wrong.
“When we re-established the Mayor’s Cheer Fund upon assuming office, we approached people in business.
“Its Chair Kudakwashe Gumbanjera, at that time, was not leading KCRA, and we proceeded to convene successful resuscitation of the fund.
“This year, it was bigger and better in terms of resources raised and beneficiaries.
“So, this is not about a residents’ association but mobilising resources to support the needy.
“If Chair Gumbanjera feels that his new role conflicts with the expectations at the fund, we expect him to update us, and appropriate measures will be taken.
“So far we’re happy with his leadership at the fund,” he said.
However, Gumbanjera has distanced himself from the KRCA position, alleging that he relinquished the post.
Despite this, he still argued that there would be no conflict of interest if he were to hold both positions.
“In reality, I don’t see the conflict of interest.
“I very well appreciate the roles of the two associations.
“All have bearing towards Kadoma residents, particularly the disadvantaged, who also require support and recognition from both KCRA and the Mayor’s Cheer Fund.
“There is no conflict of interest based on the fact that the Mayor’s Cheer Fund Committee has a clear mandate with its own terms of reference.
“It does not directly work with councillors and the executive management,” he added.
In January, the Fund handed food hampers to Tariro Children’s Home, Kadoma Old People’s Home, Jairos Jiri School for the Blind, Rubatsiro Zimcare Trust and Kadoma Training Institute.
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