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Important notice to residents who have received letters of final demand
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
July 30, 2009

Following the City of Harare's move to threaten residents who have failed to pay bills with legal action, the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has approached its partners; the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to get advice on how best this issue can be dealt with.

We would like to advise all residents who have received such letters to please bring copies to our offices in the city centre so that they can be forwarded to the lawyers in preparation for possible legal proceedings. Meanwhile, ZLHR is drafting a standard letter in response to the final demand letters and CHRA will do mass production of the letter for distribution to residents. Four copies will be produced for each complainant; one will be submitted to the City of Harare, one to the Ministry of Local Government, One to ZLHR and CHRA will retain the other copy for its records.
Meanwhile, residents should not pay money for services that they have not received. The following reasons have been put forward in support of this position;

• The Council has breached its implied contract with residents whereupon Council has failed to provide services that are commensurate with the charged rates.
• The rates that are being charged by the Council are not affordable to residents
• Residents are entitled at law and have a legal right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and fair. The City Council's billing system is highly inconsistent and this has resulted in residents being unfairly charged exorbitant amounts of money.

CHRA will continue to fight for the residents' cause and advocate for good, transparent and accountable governance as well as lobbying for quality and affordable municipal (and other) services on a non partisan basis.

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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