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Rates
shock residents
Combined
Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
Extracted from The Resident Issue 35
July 15, 2004
The Harare City Council's
2004 budget, gazetted in the Government Gazette three weeks ago has sent
shockwaves in the city. Residents in areas like Mabvuku, Tafara, Kuwadzana
and Kambuzuma found themselves having to pay rates in excess of $70,000.00,
up from $10,000.00 without prior warning from council.
The increases have been met with resistance by residents. Combined Harare
Residents Association has reiterated that residents' disposable income
is already under strain and any attempt to erode it with or without consultation
will result in stiff resistance. The residents have welcomed the move
by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing
to reduce the rates. The Herald (08 July 2004) reports
that residents now have to pay rates at the January 2004 rate increases.
There is need for
government to go a step further and assist councils in creating alternative
sources of income. Harare City Council was this week given a $10,7bn windfall
for the upgrading of the Harare water works. The move will go a long way
in improving the city's water supply. However, there should be rigorous
effort to ensure the maintenance of the existing plants in order to avoid
a similar disaster in the future. It is saddening that the Firle and Crowborough
Plants, once the proud winners of Awards in Engineering, have now succumbed
to pressure and pose a serious health risk to residents.
Concern should still
be raised over the Kunzvi Dam Water project, which has been on the cards
for long but is yet to be completed. The Harare Water situation is desperate,
and residents feel that unless there is a total commitment from the government
on the issue it will remain a white elephant whilst residents continue
to suffer.
Visit
the CHRA fact sheet
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