Illegal Harare Commission raises rates by more than 4000%
By Tererai Karimakwenda
June 05, 2007

Harare residents woke up to shocking news Tuesday as the state controlled Herald newspaper reported that more price increases are due on July 1st when a new supplementary budget approved by the illegal commission running the city comes into effect. According to The Herald everything from council rates, house rentals, refuse collection, health and burial costs will go up by more than 4000%. Service delivery has not improved and the local government minister Ignatius Chombo continues to defy the Urban Councils Act and several high Court rulings by refusing to organise elections for a new council.

The chairman of the Combined Harare Residents Association Mike Davies, immediately urged residents who are not already boycotting paying their rates to withhold their money from the illegal commission. He described the Commission as a gang of thieves and said he was not surprised they were trying to steal more money. Davies stressed that CHRA was now taking a much stronger stance against Harare residents who continue to finance the illegal Makwavarara Commission by paying their rates. He said they are now considered collaborators and urged them to withhold their money until elections are organised and a legitimate administration occupies City Hall.

According to The Herald the supplementary budget proposals were adopted at a full meeting of the Commission without debate and were signed by the commission chairperson Sekesayi Makwavarara.

As of July 1st, the cost of refuse collection from high-density areas goes up from Z$3 063 to Z$140 000 for each household per month. This will be
reviewed to Z$175 000 in October and up again to Z$210 000 in January 2008. Refuse collection for each household in the low-density areas will go up from Z$3 675 to Z$150 000 per month in July, Z$190 000 in October and Z$240 000 in January 2008. Businesses currently paying Z$7 350 will see it rise to Z$195 000 from July, Z$292 000 in October and Z$585 000 by January, 2008. The irony of the situation is that residents have complained for years that there refuse is littering the streets because council is failing to collect regularly.

The cost of hiring an ambulance will also go up drastically from the current Z$300 000to Z$400 000 in July and Z$700 00 in January. Pregnant women will not be spared. Maternity fees go up from Z$63 300 to Z$320 000 in October. The cost of Clinic fees, council house rentals and burials will also go up on July 1st.

The city claimed its supplementary budgets with increased fees would help improve service delivery. Davies does not believe it. He said the real problem is the national political and economic crisis that has created hyperinflation over 5000%. Until the national crisis is resolved, prices will continue to go up.