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HRT Letter to City Councillors on 2011 City Budget
Harare Residents Trust
November 30, 2010

Dear Councillor

I hope this letter finds you well. Firstly the Harare Residents Trust (HRT) is greatly disappointed due to the fact that we just discovered by coincidence about your meeting today. As HRT, we anticipate that as our elected leader you side with the struggling resident of Harare. The residents of Harare are facing serious problems at community level with particular reference to service delivery. Communities continue to bear the brunt of a collapsed road network, street lighting, refuse collection, polluted water, burst sewerage pipes, overgrown grass in public spaces, dilapidated social infrastructure, and unsustainable bills.

Not to mention ineffective representation of residents in local government issues. Below are the suggested figures from communities:

• Refuse - $ 1, Rentals - $5, Water -$2, Sewerage reticulation - $2, Cemetery charges - $10
• Maternity fees- Zero, Supplementary charges - $1, Clinic charges - $1 for consultation
• Parking in CBD - $1 per day, Hall booking - $25
• Library fees -$1 per month, Flea market - to reduce by 50% current rates
• Council schools - to reduce by 40%
• Salaries and administration - the residents want the city to reduce by 20 percent its workforce in the 2011 City budget

The HRT through its community advocacy work is communicating the wish and aspirations of communities. The HRT challenges you to think seriously on these issues or suggestions raised by the communities. This will enable Harare residents to participate in the issues that affect them on a daily basis. This is critical as poor and unaffordable services being offered currently to areas are impacting negatively on the welfare of the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of Harare communities which include women, children, the unemployed youths, the elderly and the disabled to mention a few.

The HRT strongly believes in the principles of social justice, participation, transparency and accountability and these fundamental issues should be prioritized and attended to through your esteemed office. We believe in a "bottom up approach" to local governance rather than a "top down approach". It's "TIME OUT" for ineffective representation at local government level, poor community service delivery and a lack of action on your part as our councilor. It's also time for you to realize and appreciate that "leadership is more of a responsibility rather than a privilege".

ZVIDO ZVEVANHU PAMBERI KWETE ZVEVASHANDI VEKANZURU! TINOTARISIRA KUTI MUCHAGAMUCHIRA ZVISHUWO ZVEVANHU NEKUTI NDIVO VANOPA MARI KUKANZURU.

Thank you,

We remain,

The Harare Residents' Trust

Contact the HRT on 0772-869294/ 0772-771860 or email us on hretrust@yahoo.com

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