Staff Reporter
Macheke residents have pleaded with authorities to end their amalgamation with Murewa.
The residents say the move has resulted in their area being underdeveloped.
Addressing a press club organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) in Macheke recently, Macheke Citizens Development Trust representative Jonathan Washaru said it is high time for the two areas to be separated.
“We are orphans, we have no say at all.
“We have contributed a lot in terms of revenue but development is being implemented in Murewa at the expense of Macheke.
Macheke is administratively run by Murewa Rural District Council despite having its own sub-offices at local governance level.
Washaru said they have all the resources and infrastructure to be self-sustaining.
However he feels that they are being exploited by Murewa.
“The two towns should be separated for the better of both residents.
“Macheke is still playing second fiddle to Murewa and this should stop.
“We have approached relevant authorities but that is not the case,” he said.
Macheke falls under Murewa South constituency.
It is mainly dominated by commercial farming activities while Murewa Centre in Murewa North constituency is dominated by communal farmers.
Admin Duties In Murewa
“We have enough business and industry to sustain ourselves in Macheke as compared to Murewa.
“Our rates and tariffs that we pay are being used to develop a rural area.
“As we speak we have a malfunctioning ambulance and we are being told that we are waiting for the Murewa office to act.
“At one point, our building plans were being approved in Murewa and we would wait for days for them to be looked at.
“This is not fair at all,” said another female resident at the meeting.
Efforts to get a comment from Murewa Rural District Council chief executive officer were fruitless as his phone went unanswered.