The Commission running the City of Harare has continued on a wave of looting funds from unsuspecting residents in Harare. The Commission illegally appointed by Minister of Local Government, Public works and Urban Development Dr I Chombo following the dismissal of Engineer Elias Mudzuri led council has seen successive years of maladministration corruption. It has emerged that the City of Harare has been implementing service charges in the new supplementary budget without consulting residents.

It has also emerged that the City of Harare is inviting objections from motorists to its proposed new parking fees amid revelations that it is already charging the new fees. Motorists have since October 1 2007 been paying the increased fee of $100 000, up from $10 000, to park in the central business district. It is sad to note that objections for these charges are being invited when they are already in operation.

It has come to the attention of CHRA that the Commission has also awarded $8 million each to 388 employees in the health department as appreciation allowances. The workers from the Health Department did not take part in the strike between April 24 and 31 July 2007. The money was raised through the approval of the supplementary budget revenue estimates. The workers will be given a one off payment for their loyalty to the commission.

This is not the first time the Commission has charged illegal rates to residents. In January 2007 the City of Harare implemented the 2007 proposed rates before the end of the mandatory period of accepting objections. This was in clear violation of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) which lay out the proper procedure for budget formulation. The City of Harare must initial consult residents before drafting a budget, after consultations the City must advertise its draft budget with residents input twice in a daily newspaper. Residents are allowed a 30 day period in which to object or make comments to the proposed budget. If more than thirty objections are lodged the Town Clerk must send them to the Minister of Local Government, Public works and Urban Development who will consider the objections of the residents.

The Commission has however not been following the due process of budget formulation. Residents are not being consulted and objections are ignored. The Association is deeply concerned at this rampant disregard of procedure and rules and regulations governing local authorities. It advises residents to be on the lookout. Residents are urged to check their statements properly and to keep a record of their meter readings to avoid being cheated. The Association will continue be the watchdog for democracy, transparency and accountability. CHRA continues to demand for a democratically elected leadership at townhouse that is accountable to the people and not driven by the whims and caprices of party political patronage.

Farai Barnabas Mangodza
Chief Executive Officer
Combined Harare Residents Association