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City of Harare splashes money while the majority languishes in poverty
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
February 22, 2006

THE insensitive commission running the affairs of the City of Harare has once again demonstrated its lack of prioritisation by splashing over $238 million for a mere advertisement (Herald 21 February 2006) to congratulate President Robert Mugabe on his birthday.

Cholera has claimed nearly 35 people since the crisis began in early January. Nearly 10 people died in Epworth of cholera, according to confirmed media reports.

Refuse has continued to pile in the Central Business District (CBD), in residential and industrial areas. Raw sewerage continues to flow in the streets of Dzivarasekwa, Mbare, in Mabvuku and Warren Park, but still the City of Harare has not responded to residents’ complaints.

What CHRA finds disturbing is the chairperson of the illegal commission running the City of Harare, neither Sekesai Makwavarara’s propensity to splash money on vanities that bring neither sanity nor repair burst sewer pipes to Harare residents except to quench Makwavarara’s thirst to spend ratepayers’ money.

Recently, she wanted $35 billion to buy curtains and furniture for the mayoral mansion, a figure said to have been drastically reduced.

The misguided attempt to appease the President and his government will surely not endear the illegal commission to the majority residents of Harare who want every cent of their money to go towards repairing damaged sewer and water pipes, refuse collection and repair of potholed roads that have replaced the smooth tarmacs of yesteryear, including cutting grass with slashes.

According to the Herald, the City of Harare’s advertisement cost $238 945 042, 80. CHRA believes this money should have gone towards fuel purchases for refuse collection. Informed people at Town House say this money could have bought about 2 000 litres of fuel from ordinary service stations but could have bought about 9 600 litres if they were buying from the state-owned National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (Noczim).

Competent commercial companies that are making profits placed quarter-page colour adverts to congratulate the President on attaining 82 years yet the City of Harare that is failing to meet most of its financial obligations ‘found’ the money to congratulate the President.

This propensity for flamboyance remains unmatched as the City vehemently denies disease outbreaks, which can be prevented by proper planning and prioritisation.

Nomutsa Chideya and Makwavarara must be reminded that the whole world is greater than its part.

We insist that elections to choose legitimate residents’ representatives should be held soonest before the illegal commission running the City of Harare destroys everything that the once Sunshine City stands for.

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