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Harare wards reduced to 44!
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
Extracted from The Resident, Issue 38
July 27, 2004

At the structural base of representative democracy is the division of the country into constituencies for parliamentary representation and into wards for council representation. Generally these electoral divisions should be based on identifiable factors like population numbers or perceptions of commonality of interests. It is generally not a good idea to group together high and low income areas as this can worsen social divisions and handicap councillors from making effective representations in council.

In Zimbabwe's partisan political atmosphere, the divisions imposed by the ruling party through the delimitation committee are subjected to narrow partisan interests as the regime attempts to dilute opposition support by combining high and low density areas, or more effectively, rural and urban areas. The ludicrous delimitation of Harare's wards is a case in point. Ward one for instance falls entirely outside the city's boundaries while ward 2 extends from the CBD to the outer reaches of Hatfield. Harare North parliamentary constituency includes the super rich of Mt. Pleasant and the super poor of Hatcliffe.

Now the regime intends to carry its gerrymandering to new levels as the Zimbabwe's delimitation commission has carved up Harare once again, this time reducing its size to 44 instead of 45 wards.

The Herald (09 July 2004) reports that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing seeks to alter wards in Harare, Chitungwiza and Epworth. "The alterations, which would be done in terms of Chapter 29.15 of the Urban Councils Act, will see some wards that used to be outside Harare being incorporated into the city while some areas will be incorporated into other new ward boundaries.", the article states. It goes on further to state that: "The Ministry said anyone who wishes to make representations concerning the proposals should lodge them in writing within a period of 30 days starting from Monday, July 5." It also said the maps and reports relating to the proposals would be available for inspection free of charge at the ministry's offices in all affected areas.

Areas to be affected by the proposals are Mazowe, Manyame/Seke and Zvimba rural district councils. Some properties in the Southerton and Workington industrial areas, which used to be in ward 11, would be incorporated into ward 13 if the proposals are adopted. Whitecliff and Merwede Township, which presently fall under Zvimba Rural District Council, would be incorporated into ward 44, which is in Highfield District in Harare. Guzha Shopping Centre, which presently falls under ward 21 in Seke District, would be incorporated into ward 1 of Manyame Rural District Council. Borrowdale Racecourse, which is currently in ward 8 in Borrowdale District, would be incorporated into ward 17 in the same district. Manyame Airbase and Harare International Airport, which are currently in ward 1, Harare Central District, would be incorporated into ward 22 of the same district, according to the proposals.
The Association has in the past raised questions about the incorporation of areas outside Harare City Council boundaries, particularly with regards Whitecliff. The concern has been raised on the basis that these areas would increase the burden on service provision for the city, without giving due regard to the problems that the city is already facing. Unless these areas are incorporated into the city and local residents make a financial contribution to the running costs of the city, they should not enjoy political representation on Council.

Water provision is inadequate at the moment, and the water treatment plants have already given in to the pressure of an ever increasing population. It will be interesting to note the extent to which the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will be willing to accompany these structural changes with the requisite resources.

As mentioned in the article, anyone against the proposed changes should get in touch with the relevant Ministry. The Resident urges all to make it known that the project is not feasible, and that the Ministry should reconsider.

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