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CHRA report of the public meeting held at Rugare Community Hall
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
July 27, 2006

Chairing: Shadreck Matizanadzo
CHRA representatives present: Joseph Rose, Ward 20 Coordinator, Chairperson of Membership Committee Israel Mabhoo, Acting Chairperson CHRA, Programmes Committee Precious Shumba, Information Officer, CHRA Loreen Mupasiri, Information Intern
Attendance: 450

The meeting started at 10am. Rugare Ward Committee Chairperson, Mr Matizanadzo welcomed people and made introductions. Ward Coordinator John Soko opened the meeting with a Bible reading and a prayer.

Joseph Rose, the Chairperson for the Membership Committee outlined the background of CHRA.

Addressing the gathering of about 450 people, Rose said the Association was established on a non-partisan basis with the objective of serving the interests of Harare residents. He said that CHRA advocates for good local governance. It also focuses on educating residents about their constitutional rights.

Rose said CHRA aims to enhance effective communication between residents and service providers like Town House, Tel-One and others. CHRA also stands for residents when they are unjustly treated by service providers.

Residents were urged to initiate public discussions so that they can exchange ideas on how to reclaim the City of Harare from corrupt and semi-literate leaders.

CHRA Acting Chairperson, Israel Mabhoo said that policies have been made by a few people without any consultations with residents.

The City of Harare imposed a rubble levy on residents after Operation Murambatsvina yet rubble was not collected in most areas. Residents were encouraged to question these anomalies and take relevant action.

Mabhoo reiterated that CHRA strongly opposes the exorbitant charges for graves that the City of Harare is imposing on residents. He urged residents to reject unreasonable fees and bury their deceased for free.

He said: "If the City of Harare or anyone has a problem with it they should go and exhume the bodies and bury them where they see fit. Residents of Harare must stop the daylight robbery at Town House."

The Acting Chairperson said that if people don't take a radical move to free themselves, no- one will do that for them. Residents were urged to fight for survival. The commission must first be accountable to residents and not to Chombo. He said the commission must immediately dismissed and new mayoral and council elections.

He alleged that ratepayers' money is being abused at Town House. He said most heads of departments at Town House have either been fired or suspended yet they receive full salaries. The acting directors are also being paid full salaries. This means that large amounts of money are being used for salaries and luxury cars while service delivery is neglected.

"Residents must stand up and demand what is rightfully theirs," Mabhoo said. "We want to tell the security agents here present that the time of cowardice and talking is gone, we will be on the streets demanding our rights. We are geared to fill in the prisons and free Harare from the bondage of slavery under this puppet commission." School fees are rising to unaffordable amounts. He urged residents to initiate the establishment of community schools and find retired teachers among themselves who can professionally manage these schools. He said this was meant to avoid a situation where children from poor families fail to go to school because of high school fees.

Precious Shumba, the Information Officer for CHRA, informed the Rugare residents about the objection letters that they can submit to the Zimbabwe Lawyers' for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mayor's parlour and Ministry of Local Government if they feel that they do not want to pay for the increased water charges.

He urged residents to be fearless and united during demonstrations organised by the Association. He said people should not run away from the police during demonstrations but sing revolutionary songs while they either stand up or get seated.

Plenary
Residents were concerned by the high supplementary charges without corresponding service delivery. The council clinics are in a pathetic state and they have no stocks of drugs.

Residents wanted to know where their money is going. It was also pointed out that NRZ workers, who add up to three quarters of the population of Rugare, are receiving paltry monthly allowances ranging between $80 000 and $500 000.

These people are unable to pay the high rates that the City of Harare is calling for. Most of them do not understand why the municipality is charging them housing charges when they are the rightful owners of these houses.

Resolutions and recommendations

• Sekesai Makwavarara and her fellow commissioners must be removed from office and an elected council must be put in place.
• Residents resolved to march to Town House and dump the refuse that has not been collected for months.
• Residents should demand their money back if the City of Harare does not want to improve on service delivery.
• Residents called for a total rates boycott.
• Mayoral and council elections should be held immediately if Harare is to be restored to its original status of being the 'Sunshine City'.

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