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Residents convene a public meeting amid chaos in service delivery
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
February 25, 2010

Residents of Arcadia, Braeside and St Martins convened a public meeting in conjunction with the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), on the 22nd of February 2010, amidst serious complaints by many from the locality on the state of service delivery which is in shambles. The meeting was attended by more than 150 residents from the above mentioned three areas which constitute Ward 2.

The residents expressed their disappointment with the way the City of Harare is demanding money from residents and yet there are no services. One of the residents fumed saying " . . . the council expects us to pay our rates in full and on time, but we have never seen any consistent collection of refuse . . . " Indeed the council has been charging residents for services which have not been rendered. CHRA has been receiving numerous complaints from residents over the outrageous bills that Council is sending to residents. Furthermore, Council has continued to issue "letters of final demand" to residents with outstanding bills, threatening them with legal action. Residents who attended the meeting professed ignorance of any refuse collection being done in the area saying "we have forgotten the last time we saw a council truck collecting refuse".

Mrs. Jampees, one of the residents who assisted in coordinating the meeting said that residents will not pay for non-existent services. Residents also raised concern over Council's tendency to be extravagant when service delivery is in a sorry state. One of the issues that were raised in connection to these concerns is the purchasing of expensive vehicles by the City Council. Other issues that were raised include the inconsistent billing by the City of Harare, high levels of corruption within the Council as well as non-consultation of residents by Council in decision making processes.

CHRA maintains its position that residents should not pay for non-existent services. The Association urges all residents who have been victims of Council's chaotic billing to contact the CHRA offices for assistance. CHRA remains committed to advocating for good, transparent and accountable local governance as well as lobbying for quality and affordable municipal services.

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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