Gwanda Rural District Councillors have voiced concerns about the high cost of motorcycles meant to enhance their mobility and capacity to coordinate developmental programmes in their wards.
The council Chief Executive Officer, Ranganai Sibanda, explained that at a full council meeting last week, they had received a circular regarding a motorcycle loan scheme, requiring councillors to purchase motorbikes during their term in office.
According to the council minutes, motorbike payments are scheduled to begin in June 2024.
“The motorcycle scheme allows local authorities to grant councillors motorbikes through a loan scheme. Councillors will repay the cost of purchase during their term as councillors,” Sibanda explained. “Motorcycles will be purchased by the council following council’s procurement procedures, and no money will be given to councillors to make their own purchases.”
He added that councillors would repay the loan through monthly deductions from their allowances until the next election.
“However, a councillor is allowed to repay the loan in full at any given time before the expiry of their term of office. Failure to repay the loan will result in the repossession of the motorcycle,” Sibanda said.
The motorcycles to be purchased are limited to a maximum engine capacity of 150cc and will be serviced by the beneficiaries using their own funds.
During the debate, Ward 1 Councillor Stanford Nkala remarked on the high price of the motorcycles.
“Their pricing is too expensive. These are the same type of motorbike that was bought last time for around $900, and now they’re going for over $2,000. Can’t we look for cheaper alternatives?” he questioned.
Another councillor expressed concerns that the remaining months in their term and the provided allowance would not be sufficient to pay back the US$2,500 loan.
An additional councillor inquired whether their allowance would be refunded if the motorcycle is repossessed.
“Aren’t there any other companies offering motorbikes at a lower price than US$2,500? As councillors, we’ve consulted with other companies in Bulawayo that offer motorbikes at a lower price. We don’t have that kind of money,” the councillor added.
