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Residents
express their discontent with the City Fathers as hundreds march
to Town House
Combined Harare
Residents Association (CHRA)
October 06, 2009
The residents'
march that was conducted today, 5 October 2009 in the City Centre
clearly showed the discontent and displeasure of residents towards
the poor state of service delivery in Harare in light of the service
charges that Council has imposed. The March, in which more than
500 residents participated, took off at 11 am and residents made
their way to Town House singing protest songs.
The Deputy Mayor,
Mr Emmanuel Chiroto addressed the residents and said that Council
would give the residents' grievances due consideration. He
also said that Council was committed to working with the residents
and that the residents' issues would be addressed as soon
as possible. The Harare Mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda, was conspicuous
by his absence despite the fact that CHRA had sent him a communication
regarding the march and had requested him to address residents.
Some of the key demands that were made by the protesters include;
- The urgent
downward review of the 2009 rates to levels which the residents
advised during the 2009 budget formulation consultation process.
- That Council
should immediately cease to purchase luxurious vehicles for senior
officials and prioritize service delivery
- Council
must ensure that residents are consulted in the 2010 budget formulation
process.
- That Council
should immediately revise the exorbitant salaries paid to Council
Directors. Whilst residents accept responsibility to remunerate
Council workers well, we reject the current scenario where salaries
are consuming more than 50% of Council finances.
CHRA remains
steadfast in demanding and defending the principles and practice
of democratic, accountable and good local governance in Harare.
We also urge the Council not to be negative about this protest but
take it as a call by your own electorate to take action with respect
to the issues raised. CHRA is still willing to engage in meaningful
dialogue to resolve these issues.
Visit the CHRA
fact
sheet
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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