By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Epworth North lawmaker Zivai Mhetu, has pledged his entire parliamentary salary to community welfare and is calling for urgent government action to improve healthcare, roads, and policing in the high-density suburb.
Addressing a public feedback meeting attended by over 3,000 residents, Mhetu announced he had allocated his full 2025 salary—totalling US$3,360—to constituency needs.
“My salary is US$280 a month.
“That money belongs to the people of Epworth,” he stated.
Following consultation with the Constituency Development Committee, which identified hunger as the most immediate crisis, the funds were used to purchase food.
“Everyone who attended the meeting received a packet of rice,” Mhetu explained.
The MP has further committed to dedicating his 2026 salary to community-driven projects, with residents determining how the money will be spent.
“It is the people of Epworth who must tell me what to use my salary for,” he said.
On infrastructure, Mhetu confirmed that Epworth received its full Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation for 2025, which was directed toward road rehabilitation.
“We graded and compacted the roads, and they withstood the heavy rains,” he reported.
Looking ahead, he proposed a coordinated approach involving the Epworth Local Board, the ministry of transport, and the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) to ensure more durable roadworks.
“If the 2026 CDF is released for gravel and compaction, ZINARA could then supplement with tar to make the roads permanent,” Mhetu suggested.
The legislator also highlighted critical gaps in healthcare, noting the lack of a 24-hour medical facility.
“Residents are dying en route to distant hospitals,” he said.
Plans are underway to lobby for upgrading a local clinic to district-hospital status, which would provide surgical, diagnostic, and mortuary services.
Mhetu expressed concern over education standards, urging private schools to employ qualified teachers.
“Many institutions are hiring school leavers without training, compromising the quality and discipline of education,” he remarked.
Policing emerged as another pressing issue, with residents reporting inadequate service from the area’s only police station amid a rapidly growing population.
“Epworth has nearly one million people but only one police station. We will be engaging relevant authorities in 2026 to push for an additional station,” Mhetu affirmed.
Additionally, the MP announced plans to establish a Parliament Information Centre in Epworth to foster empowerment and vocational training.
“We have requested land from the Epworth Local Board so that parliamentary funds can be used to construct the facility,” he said.
