Harare commission seeks dialogue with residents

By Tichaona Sibanda
17 March 2006

The Makwavararaled Commission running the affairs of the City of Harare has approached the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) to engage in dialogue for the benefit of residents.

In a statement released Friday CHRA’s 45-member executive committee, its policy-making body, agreed to engage with the commission.

Part of the statement read: ‘CHRA however reiterates its rejection of illegal Commissions that are imposed by ministerial dictate and that extend beyond their legal lifespan. The decision is a pragmatic one based on our belief that it is unfair to residents to ignore the overtures from Town House. Service delivery has nearly collapsed and the 2006 budget is being implemented without consultation with residents. These are key issues that will be raised.’

CHRA chairperson Mike Davies said a delegation will meet with the commission to see what proposals they lay on the table. He said their agreement to meet with them in no way reverses their position on the illegal commission but recognizes that the body is the de facto authority in the city.

Davies said the position of CHRA is clear; ‘services must be provided to all our residents by a municipality administered by a democratically elected mayor and council and we will continue to pursue this goal. The new policy is of engagement and not legitimisation. The rates boycott and other activities will not be suspended or called off.’

CHRA will be submitting detailed reports on the state of city governance and residents' participation in the administration of Harare to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Local Government, Health and Child Welfare, as well as the committee on finance.