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Voices from the community
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
November 04, 2011

"Voices from the community" is a platform which seeks to amplify voices of the unheard in our communities. In this week's edition of Voices from the Community, we go to Dzivarasekwa (Ward 39 & 40) were residents are raising serious fears of a looming Cholera outbreak. Last week, Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) had a public meeting chaired by CHRA chairperson Simbarashe Moyo and the committee resolved to draft an open letter to the Mayor of Harare, Muchadei Masunda conveying its discontent in the manner in which the community is being administered by the local District Office. The problems in general are ranging from water, health and astronomic bills. It is our hope that the Mayor responds to the issues being raised by the committee.

Open Letter to City of Harare Mayor Muchadei Masunda

Your worship, we as the leadership of Dzivarasekwa ward 39 and 40, do bring to your attention the state of service delivery in its current dilapidated state. Considering that your current council is comprised mostly of elected individuals, it is our humble assumption that the issues we are going to raise will definitely attract your immediate positive response which meets the founding principle of public participation and accountability.

It is on record that we organized a public meeting last year (2010) in July which was graced by the Town Clerk Mr. T Mahachi, our local councilor Karimakwenda together with the district officer. The burning issue was premised on illegal-structure fees that were being charged on residents with cottages independent to the main house. Residents complained that the district office is charging a penalty of USD$115 a month. We however argued that the four roomed houses we inherited from council could no longer accommodate our families which have since bloomed in terms of numbers hence the construction of these houses. However the Town Clerk agreed in the presence of the D.O that these fees will be scrapped given that residents were not notified in time and that there was no consensus with regards to the penalty fee. To that end, there was a unanimous agreement that residents will be notified through letter of council-action if ever these structures continue to exist. What is disappointing is that to date, we continue receiving these illegal structure penalties despite the fact that some residents have already destroyed these structures.

Given the uncoordinated administration as mentioned above, residents have accumulated bills that stretch as far as USD$4000, which means that most of us are on the verge of losing our property because of mal-administration on the part of our local district office. As if that is enough, already 90% of residents have had their tap water disconnected because of the debt that has accrued inspired by the $115 penalty charge on illegal structures despite the fact that they have been paying for water. This has caused a serious outbreak of diarrhea. Despite the water disconnection, we have also witnessed a general trend in which bills continue to come indicating that residents have been consuming tap water and the consumption rate is charged between $7-$10 per month. We are also charged a fixed charge of $5 like all the other residents who are consistently receiving water. Council is demanding that we pay at least half of the money which can mean an average of $1000-$2000 for us to start negotiating for a payment plan before we even mention the $12 reconnection fee. Our question is that does turning a spanner demand $12 to ensure that water starts running through the tap again? We are also aware that there is an interest charge that accumulates for as long as the bill has not been settled. Many residents have approached the local district office with sums ranging between $20-$100 but the local office has denied them a chance to pay so as to show their commitment and this has just frustrated residents such that they no longer see the importance of going to council in a bid to pay their bills. This does not in itself mean that residents do not want to pay, but the major question is that where will we get $2000 when we are not able to cater for the basic needs necessary for our day to day lives?

It is our humble belief that the issues mention will not go unnoticed for they require immediate attention from your good office. We hope that you will soon get back to us through our councilor or CHRA office.

Sydney Zata
CHRA Coordinator
Ward 40

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