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CHRA report of the public meeting at Glen Norah "B"Community Centre
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
July 29, 2006

Chairing: Juliet Masiyembiri

CHRA representatives present: Gertrude Kuudzehwe, Ward 44 Chairperson, Membership Committee Vincent Madeko, Ward 20 Chairperson, Information and Publicity Committee Matsiwo Kazuva, Ward 15 Coordinator, Programmes Committee Reuben Akili, Secretariat Precious Shumba, Information Officer, CHRA
Attendance: 82

The Ward chairperson's report was presented in the meeting giving details of the current status of facilities such as public toilets and social centres, which have deteriorated.

The continual harassment of vendors by the uniformed police was a concern among the residents. Residents demanded for more vending stalls from the Municipality as a solution rather than harassing poor people who are trying to be self-reliant.

They demanded for the reversal of the privatisation of City Marketing to Rufaro Marketing so that the municipality strengthen its revenue base.

Residents said Ignatius Chombo, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works, caused the challenges they are facing and Urban Development who dismissed there elected councillors and Mayor for no apparent reason. He subsequently appointed a commission, which is accountable only to him.

Also addressing the same gathering, Gertrude Kuudzehwe, the Chairperson for Ward 44 in Kuwadzana Extension told the residents that CHRA would maintain its position of holding demonstrations against the illegal Harare commission like what they did on the 19th of July 2006.

She said residents needed to be united and vigilant in this cause until Makwavarara leaves office and elections are held. She accused the City of Harare of failing to follow proper procedures when they increased the water tariffs as laid out in the Urban Councils Act (UCA Chapter 29:15).

Vincent Madeko, the Chairperson of Ward 20 in Tafara and also a member of the CHRA Information and Publicity Committee told the residents that CHRA was not fighting the government, neither was it fighting semi-literate individuals like Sekesai Makwavarara but was fighting against the systems of governance which have stolen the residents' voice and power.

He said united voices and collaborated actions were needed to ensure the evil systems in place to run Harare and other local authorities were dismantled.

Specifically addressing members of the police present at the public meeting, Madeko said they should "stop brutalising residents who will be demonstrating against oppression". He urged residents to be resolute in the defence of their space and called on corrupt officials in the City of Harare to be prepared to face thousands of residents on the streets, demanding their immediate resignation.

Plenary
Residents said the City of Harare was not providing them with plastic bins. The municipality was also not attending to burst sewer and water pipes. Glen Norah was experiencing constant power cuts, yet the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has remained silent without providing any explanation. Perpetual power cuts by ZESA are causing land damages in the park between Glen Norah 'A' and Glen Norah 'B'.

On electricity, the residents said they could not afford the newly introduced rates by ZESA, which were over 100 percent. Residents faced unreasonable and unjustified increments from the municipality.

Resolutions and way forward

• Reclaim Rufaro Marketing back to its rightful owners, the residents
• Organize demonstrations against the Makwavarara-led commission.
• Rates boycott until things are in order in Harare.
• Improve information dissemination methods.
• Hold a meeting with the District Officer (DO) on issues affecting the residents
• They will hold mass peaceful marches and demonstrations against the City of Harare at various district offices until elections are held.
• Continue to demand that elections be held in Harare.

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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