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Danger to greater Harare residents - Minister of Local Government should resign
Trudy Stevenson
February 17, 2006

The announcement of 35 deaths from cholera in Epworth during the past week is further shocking testament to the total failure of the Minister of Local Government and Urban Development to provide the infrastructure and services required for citizens to enjoy their basic right to life and a clean environment.

It is tragic that the Epworth community was one of the hardest hit by Operation Murambatsvina, whose purported justification to prevent disease from overcrowded living conditions. It is patently clear that, if anything, the evil operation has resulted in even greater danger to health. This disastrous situation has been compounded by the ineptitude of the unelected Makwavarara Commission and its parent Ministry, which between them have created a state of total chaos in the Harare conurbation.

Residents would be within their rights to reconsider their obligation to pay rates and charges to a commission which is both unelected and so clearly failing to run their city to the point of positively endangering their health.

Meanwhile, the Minister should be honourable enough to resign and allow order to return to the City of Harare and its environs.

*Trudy Stevenson is Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Shadow Minister of Local Government and Housing

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