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CHRA takes Ministry to court over election issue
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
Extracted from The Resident, Issue 40
August 27, 2004

Combined Harare Residents Association has filed a court appeal challenging the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing's decision to postpone the holding of elections for the Executive Mayor's position.

The Association has stated in its founding affidavit that the Minister acted contrary to the provisions of the Urban Councils Act when he stated that the elections for the post of Executive Mayor (and any other council elections) would only be held in 2006. The Urban Councils Act[Chapter 29:15] provides that elections must be held within 90 days after the dismissal of an Executive Mayor.In specific terms, sixty days upon the office of the mayor being vacant.

The Harare City Council is now in its second year without a substantive Executive Mayor after the Ministry suspended the Executive Mayor of Harare on allegations of corruption and insubordination in April 2003 and subsequently dismissed him in April 2004. The Deputy Mayor of Harare, Sekesayi Makwavarara has been in an Acting Mayor's position since 2003 after the Minister of Local Government refused council permission to hold elections for the Deputy Mayor and Committee Chairpersons' positions as required by the law. Attempts by legitimate resident representative to reclaim their statutory right onlt led to the dismissal of thirteen more councillors.

Residents feel that the problems being experienced in the city are a direct result of the Ministry's failure to abide by the Urban Councils Act and accord residents an opportunity to determine the operations of the city as concerned stakeholders.

The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has been adamant in its defence in the city. The Minister has come out strongly against any impression that he is interfering in the running of the affairs of the city. He has, however endorsed his standpoint on the role that his ministry plays in the running of local authorities, and in the administration of the Urban Councils Act. Residents quiver at the thought that the ministry can bulldoze its way into their day to day lives, not to assist, but to bring further commotion.

Combined Harare Residents Association remains steadfast in its call for elected councillors to carry out the democratic mandate accorded them by the residents of Zimbabwe, in any given local authority. Local government shall not collapse because the regime sees it as a pedestal to further party political interest.

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