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Transparency International Zimbabwe hosts Executive Mayors and Town Clerks
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
Extracted from The Resident Issue 35
July 15, 2004

Transparency International Zimbabwe last week played host to Executive Mayors and Town Clerks in Nyanga (6-7 July) a workshop that Combined Harare Residents Association made a presentation.

Addressing delegates in a speech entitled Ratepayers' expectations in Local Authority Governance, Farai Barnabas Mangodza, Chief Executive Officer for Combined Harare Residents Association said that residents entrust Local Authorities with the sole responsibility of providing them with affordable, quality service in an efficient and effective manner underpinned on accountability and transparency.

He mentioned that whilst the economic decline currently being experienced by the country was particularly challenging for local authorities, residents still expected quality service so as to get their money's worth. "The quality of the service provided by any local authority is the hallmark to the promotion of social and economic development in that area".

Residents' participation in local government affairs provides councils and the residents with the opportunity to meet midway and proffer lasting solutions. Local Authorities were urged to consider the advantage of involving stakeholders in their development projects on five levels, viz:

• Defining the entry point for residents' participation in the most crucial area at local government level; budgeting
• Unpacking the budgetary concepts for the ordinary resident and ratepayer
• Prioritisation of key sectors in the budget making process
• Setting up clear checks and balances for budget performance.
• Providing feedback to the residents before landing astronomically high bills on their doorstep, which are accompanied by a threat to disconnect

Combined Harare Residents Association recommended to the delegates that the fight against corrupt practices in local authorities could be best won through an aggressive involvement of residents, the business community, vendors, lodgers and civic society to name just a few. Barnabas Mangodza mentioned that the approach to local government must be brought closer to the people to ensure their participation in the decision making process of councils.

The full speech can be read on our website www.chra.co.zw.

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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