Bulawayo residents have questioned the Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s decision to revive commercial sorghum production at Aisleby Farm after a five-year hiatus, with many demanding transparency and assurance that the venture will benefit the public and not private interests.
The council, reportedly has already planted 105 hectares of sorghum, with harvesting expected to begin this week.
Run through BCC’s Business and Investment Committee, the project is part of a broader strategy to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on ratepayer funds.
However, some residents are concerned the initiative may end up enriching a few while the city continues to face critical service delivery challenges.
In a discussion on a Ward 2 community WhatsApp group, resident Dennis Dubley questioned the council’s motives and the end-use of the sorghum crop.
“Sorghum to be sold direct to a brewery which supplies beer to beer halls or other outlets not controlled by the council,” Dubley said.
“This product may be used purely to sustain and benefit individual profits, instead of selling it to the public who are experiencing real food shortages within the Matabeleland region.”
He added “important” resources should not be seen to be indirectly benefiting the elite whilst residents were made to believe there was progress.
“We need transparent projects to improve our failed city finances. If I am wrong, I would appreciate corrections and schooling on this project. This project uses our resources, so we have all the rights to evaluate it,” Dubley said.
In response, Ward 2 Councillor Adrian Rendani Moyo welcomed the return of activity at Aisleby Farm and clarified the goals of the project.
“The idea is value addition and sustainability. It’s not about individual profits,” said Moyo.
“It doesn’t make sense for Ingwebu to buy grain from farms in other provinces yet Aisleby can supply the same grain. It also assists Aisleby Farm to be a viable and self-sustaining entity.”
The councillor added Aisleby Farm used to grow this grain and they as councillors have collectively called for that resuscitation.
“I’m pleased because we can see the results. This also benefits locals that are engaged as casual labour,” Moyo said.
Dubley, however, remained skeptical.
“You are correct, but in the past, Ingwebu used to supply council beer halls to get maximum profits from A to Z for the Aisleby farm workers’ sweat. BCC went into financial problems because it lost the revenue from these beer outs supplied by Ingwebu Brewery. Correct me if I am wrong.”
In reply, Moyo explained the council had restructured Ingwebu’s business model to adapt to modern demands.
“Our intention from day one has been to try and transform Ingwebu into a viable entity. One key aspect is the retooling of Ingwebu Breweries. We had to accept that the equipment was almost obsolete and the business model of beer gardens was no longer viable,” the councillor said.
“We have seen the installation of a PET packaging plant and the rollout of a new carbonated beer brand with a longer shelf life. This means we are now well positioned to expand our market presence.”
Moyo added that Ingwebu has also “acquired a fleet of trucks to assist delivery across the country.”
“The end goal is for Ingwebu to be viable and self-sustaining. So as this happens it makes sense for Aisleby Farm to leverage on that by being the grain supplier of choice.”
On concerns about transparency, Moyo assured residents oversight mechanisms were in place.
“You raised the issue of transparency. Our Business and Investment Committee has been keeping an eagle’s eye on the operations at Ingwebu,” said the councillor.
“As the collective body of councillors we have been making it clear that this entity operates transparently and good corporate governance must be practiced. Any victories should be victories for the ratepayers of Bulawayo.”
Moyo noted that since the project was part of BCC’s Strategic Business Unit, it was 100 percent owned by the city, to which Dubley responded that residents would “hold this department into account from now on.”
However, some residents remained concerned about a growing bureaucratic structure within the city council.
“We are now facing formation of departments within council which never existed before for obvious reasons, to minimise management levels thus minimising salary and allowance bills. Some claim within the council that this will increase efficiency but judging by what we are seeing within some parastatals the opposite is true, disaster and costly services to the consumers,” Dubley said.
Another resident, Helmand Shoko, said residents’ long-standing frustrations were finally being acknowledged.
“Our voices of dissent have been vindicated. We have mourned the abuse and overburdening of the ratepayer for very long without response. Is a new dispensation in the making?” he asked.
“The fleecing of the ratepayer must stop. You cannot develop a whole second largest city on proceeds from the ratepayers alone. Ratepayer contributions should just complement a substantive and viable city financial base.”