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Rates boycott, the whys and wherefores
Extracted from The Resident issue 33
Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA)
March 16, 2004

Residents of Harare are angry. The current rates that are being charged are unsustainable and not commensurate with the service that council has proffered. Objections raised by residents are being handled by the same people who stand accused of crating the problems, and our disposable incomes are going over board. What solution lies in sight? Rates boycotts!!

Here are a few reasons why residents have resorted to this measure.

1. Rates Boycotts will bring council to the negotiating table - The pace at which council has been handling the current impasse smacks of deliberate disregard of the concerns of the residents and electorate.
2. Council did not provide residents with the proper recourse to legislation as provided in the Urban Councils Act. Council simply passed over the budget (In Violation of Section 219 of the Urban Councils Act) and the Minister has not invoked clause allowing for a hearing of these objections by way of commission.
3. The standoff between the Minister and the Council is exacerbating the problems in council. Service Delivery has been severely affected by the fact that there is no Executive Mayor to direct operations in Council and Elections for a new Deputy Mayor and Chairpersons of Committees have been stalled. Residents cannot afford to keep quiet when the state of their properties is going down.
4. Harare stands at the helm of Local and National Governance by virtue of it being the capital city. Residents must be afforded a sense of pride in their city through the provision of efficient service by council and responsible authorities. There is therefore need for residents to be allowed to have pride in the work that council is doing.

Rates boycotts can take three levels. Residents should consider paying the old rates until council decides on reviewing the new ones. They can also make part payments of the current rates, justifying their approach on the basis that the rates are unaffordable or they can withhold payment of rates outright. The choice is ours as a residents movement. Council must come up with solutions.

Residents have been asking whether council is not going to cut off their water if they embark on the boycott. Residents should know that it is illegal for council to cut off our water. The High Court passed judgement on this factor in the case Mason vs. City of Harare. We have included it in The Resident for reference. Council needs to be considerate about the plight of residents and allow for reasonable concessions where they are just and due.

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