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The confusion on Mbare Musika closure must end
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
Extracted from CHRA weekly update for the week of January 23-27, 2006
January 31, 2006

The week opened with the issue of refuse collection still to be resolved. Service delivery issues emerged strongly in the media. Street-lights are not working in the capital’s major roads. Refuse has not been collected in all major public places despite the media frenzy that accompanied the cholera outbreak, the closure of Mbare Musika and the subsequent opening of five other market places in Hatcliffe, Highfield, Dzivarasekwa, Mabvuku and Chikwanha Business Centre in Chitungwiza.

The crisis that emerged after Mbare Musika was closed need not be retold. Innocent farmers came and were stranded. The chaos that followed should not be repeated. They demonstrate the shallowness of the occupants of Town House, particularly the chairperson of the illegal Zanu PF commission Sekesai Makwawarara, whose highest qualification is a Zanu PF membership card.

As residents we need a committed Municipality that listens to our concerns. Refuse must be collected in time. Burst sewer and water pipes must be repaired as a matter of urgency. Grass cutting along our roads must be expedited to save our children from avoidable muggings and unnecessary road accidents.

The re-opening of Mbare Musika should not be a one-off event that is followed by negligence. The market place is accessible from all parts of the city and to all surrounding towns. The authorities must not wait for the situation to get worse in order to respond but should keep the public market places hygienic and afford Harare residents to attain the highest standard of living.

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