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Harare City Council affairs
Harare City Councillors
March 25, 2004

Read The Herald account

Cancellation of council meetings
This year Harare City Council has had only one successful Council meeting.

The Full Council Meeting of the 25th March 2004 was cancelled by the Town Clerk on the frivolous grounds that the Minister of Local Government would like to address Council in April 2004. One wonders why the Minister's address to Council in April should stop City Council Business on the 25th March 2004? Irrespective of this notification from the Town Clerk, Councillors resolved that they would all meet at Town House and convene a Council meeting - for they could not miss two meetings in 3 months.

Come four o'clock on Thursday, 25th March 2004, Councillors started arriving at Town House until they formed a quorum as witnessed by the list of councillors below. Councillors found the Council Chambers locked. They then decided to meet in the Flag Room, and conduct Council business there, in accordance with Section 84 of the Urban Councils Act.

Mr. Chinotimba, an employee of Council, ordered Councillors (his bosses) out of the Flag room. He said that he had been instructed by the Town Clerk to chase the Councillors out of the Flag Room. The Councillors resisted, until they were threatened with violence by the police, who had come in support of Chinotimba. The police stated categorically that, they were given instructions by the Town Clerk to kick the Councillors out of Town House. Councillors were further threatened with beatings should they continue to hang around Town House.

However, Councillors pointed out to the police that according to the Urban Council's Act, they are required to hold meetings as provided for under Section 84 of the Urban Councils Act. This section was read to the police, who retorted back by saying that they did not care about legality, as their sole job then was to remove Councillors from Town House as per instructions from the Town Clerk. Eventually, the Senior Police Office there present instructed his junior officers, armed with sticks and pistols, to drive the Councillors out of Town House. Finally, Councillors left Town House.

Outstanding critical council issues
Councillors are currently worried that there are critical outstanding issues that Council needs to resolve. Two major issues have been cited here. The first is that the Finance Committee in its last meeting recommended to Council that:

1. Further quarterly tariff increases (from April) in the 2004 Budget, be suspended forthwith,
2. The City Treasurer's department reviews tariffs in the 2004 Budget in line with inflation,
3. That Council and residents convene their meeting as previously planned, and therefore the Town Clerk is to facilitate the convening of such a meeting by seeking police clearance,
4. The 2004 budget be gazetted,
5. An audience be called for with the Minister of Local Government to discuss the issue of borrowing powers, which are currently being denied to Harare City Council,
6. A representative from the auditing company, currently auditing the City Council's books of Accounts, be called to explain certain audit issues.

The second critical issue of concern to Councillors is the unprocedural buying of two vehicles by the Town Clerk, and the Acting Mayor. Council views this action as misappropriation of public funds.

Blocking council operations
Lastly, it is our great concern as Councillors that we are now being rendered ineffective and unable to deliver appropriate and efficient service to the Residents of Harare because of the machinations and manipulation of Council by the Town Clerk and the Acting Mayor, and the constant interference by the Minister of Local Government.

HARARE CITY COUNCILLORS
Councillors Present:
1. D. Dore,
2. V. Shamu,
3. M. Kapare,
4. P. Karimakwenda,
5. M.R. Laban,
6. M. Matienga,
7. A. Masomera,
8. O. Badza,
9. E.S. Kondo,
10. N.T. Bangajena,
11. L.P. Mushonga,
12. E. Marunda,
13. P.C. Twawanda,
14. J. Mudzudzu,
15. C. Mushonga,
16. W. Madzivanyika,
17. W. Dewa Moyo,
18. T. Gandanga,
19. P. Chikwati,
20. E. Manjeya,
21. D. Majoni,
22. L.T. Maengahama,
23. S.G. Mazaranhanga.

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