MUTARE-The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show got into full swing last week with
Mutare City Council’s exhibition stand stealing the limelight following the
showcasing of the recently introduced WhatsApp ChatBot for efficient service
delivery.
The leading Zimbabwean local authority’s stand bagged the Best Local
Authority Exhibition Stand during the 2023 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show as the
local authority forges on with effective service delivery through digitalisation.
Mutare City council spokesperson, Spren Mutiwi said the Chatbot application
which is being used in the smart parking system is corruption free and efficient.
“We are happy to be able to showcase how far the city of Mutare has embraced
technology in it administration processes as one of the leading cities in the
implementation of LADS. The showcase allowed the public to directly engage
and interact with us, having them experience our services we offering to our
residents. We are moving away from the traditional mode of service delivery
into the modern trend which is part of the smart city concept that we are
pursuing,” said Mutiwi.
He added that with the use of technology the local authority could interact with
its stakeholders and residents without having to physically bring them all under
one roof.
“Residents no longer need to visit council offices to communicate with officials
or to lodge a query, they simply need to have our WhatsApp number on the
Chatbot, 0771 067 779. The system which uses WhatsApp platform gives
residents steps and processes after sending a message until they register either
their query or input they wish to submit,” he said.
Mutiwi added that currently the Chatbot system is being used as a self-serving
parking system, dubbed ‘Wasu the Parker’ in order for motorists to be able to
pay for their parking online.
“The steps for self-serving parking are that one sends a message on the
WhatsApp number, it gives an option to open menu for choosing services they
want. After selecting the option for self-serving parking, one is given an

indication on whether they want to buy a ticket, check vehicle status or to clear
arrears. We have had complaints of motorists complaining that our parking
marshals are not visible and the Chatbot is meant to address that. One has to
simply send a message on the WhatsApp number until they pay using Ecocash.
We are still developing the Chatbot so that we incorporate other mobile service
providers,” he said.
He added that the system is a way of embracing technology and innovation to
improve their stakeholder engagement and brand visibility.
The 113 th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show ran throughout last week
under the theme, “Sustained growth, adaptation, productivity and linkages.”
The show attracted over 500 exhibitors including Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC), The European Union, China, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia
among others.