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13 councillors dismissed from work
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
Extracted from The Resident, Issue 39
August 12, 2004

It is a mockery to say council held the first "full council" meeting this week, as The Herald put it. Only 26 of the 45 elected councillors were present at the meeting, a sure sign that Harare residents no longer have control over what is happening in council. The Resident is reluctant to share The Herald’s enthusiasm about the meeting because important issues affecting residents are being relegated to the periphery. Council has not even begun to solicit input into the 2005 Budget from residents.

Residents' representation in civic affairs is being challenged by the continued onslaught by central government. Council is feeling the pinch already. The remaining Councillors are failing to constitute full committees. Councillors will now be expected to sit in more than one committee. It is going to be anyone's guess as to whether council will be able to fulfil its mandate.

The incessant attacks on our democratic space can only be remedied through the amendment of the Urban Councils Act. The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing must include residents at every point in their decision-making. It is not enough for the Ministry to act on behalf of the residents without involving them in the process. In this week's poll, we ask you which service is badly in need of improvement. Many residents have complained that council is not collecting refuse in their areas in time, yet they are being charged for two, and in some cases three collections a week. Send your opinion on this matter to info@chra.co.zw

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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