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Update on the full council meeting held on 28 August 2012 at Town House
Harare Residents' Trust (HRT)
September 03, 2012

Introduction

The opening prayer was done by Pastor Upenyu Jaka of Christ Embassy. This Full Council session is viewed by the HRT as one of the most vibrant in a long time that witnessed vibrant debates by councillors in the August House. City fathers debated objectively on issues that affect the residents. The major issues which were discussed include the following:

Criteria to determine access to council Land - Warren Park

Councillor Friday Muleya, the Chairperson of the Finance and Development Committee outlined that the issue under discussion Lease with an option to purchase stand 8059 Warren Park Township and noted that the matter should be finalised by the council. He accused Councillor Julius Musevenzi of failing to cooperate with the Finance and Development Committee on the issue. Instead, the Warren Park (Ward 15) Councillor absconded committee meetings to clarify issues for four consecutive months. Arrogantly, Councillor Musevenzi raised the issue during the full Council meeting. In addition Councillor Muleya noted that as council land should not be allocated on political basis and this should be done without fear or favour. Councillor Muleya suggested that the council should decide on the matter and the committee will not continue to handle the issue as the affected councillor was not cooperating. The matter was put to vote and the council resolved through a vote that the stand should be put to tender.

Budget Consultative Meetings

Councillor Peter Moyo asked the Mayor why the Council has not published the budget consultative meetings because there is no time left to make people provide feedback. The Chamber Secretary said they have produced a draft pre-budget consultations schedule and the budget consultative meetings should start on 3 September 2012. Councillor Moyo urged the council to convene an all stakeholders conference following these widespread pre-budget consultations, involving residents associations, business committees and other strategic partners. "Failure to do this will result in the residents, driven by such organisations as the HRT, objecting to the budget, putting to waste all resources invested in the process." Council adopted this, saying there was need to involve residents' bodies and other stakeholders before the budget is finalised. This is a positive development to the HRT as it demonstrates the enough work put into community mobilisation and sustainable advocacy and lobby initiatives by the organisation. By its own admission during the council deliberations, councillors and management acknowledged the significant influence of the HRT in the administration of city affairs, rallying citizens for an efficient service delivery system.

Dzivarasekwa Pump Station

Councillor Hebert Gomba (Glen Norah, Ward 27) expressed disappointment in the manner in which the Dzivarasekwa water project is being undertaken by the council. There has been 'visible lack of progress on the project' and he sought clarification from the Mayor. Dzivaresekwa Councillor Herman Karimakwenda echoed the same sentiments reminding the august House that Dzivaresekwa has remained the epicentre of the typhoid pandemic. "Residents continue to exert pressure on the council to urgently address the water crisis as a matter of urgency. Water is life and there is need to ensure that residents are not being exposed to health risks". Councillor Charity Bango (Ward 41, Marlborough) noted that the issue of water is very pertinent and women are the most affected by the shortages of water and still expected to do other household chores. She said this was grossly unfair. Councillor Bango said the water issue should not be a talk show but action on the ground should be seen. Special interest Councillor Chikumbirike noted that "council needs to set clear timelines" saying procurement of water chemicals should not go to tender. This would expedite water service provision because water is life.

Harare Water Employees

Councillor Joyce Kariwo (Mufakose, Ward 36) came to the defence of Harare Water employees saying they no longer received overtime. This meant they are not working during weekends, or after hours. While this appears to be a genuine concern, residents have repeatedly observed that council employees work slowly during normal work hours and only try to be hurrying during over time; yet do not seem to complete tasks. Their delays are contributing to the over-expenditure on salaries and administration of council affairs.

Valuation Department

Councillor Peter Moyo (Rugare, Ward 14) asked why the valuation department was moved from the Department of Urban Planning Services (DUPS) to the City Treasury since it is now difficult for people to acquire stands from Council. Councillor Muleya reminded Councillor Moyo that as city fathers we should not 'behave like little children' because council cannot debate on an issue twice saying there is need to stick to resolutions. He said this development was due to the clandestine land deals in which councillors were doing - grabbing land for free. He warned fellow councillors not to resort to the old system.

Tendering Process of Water Treatment Chemicals

The Mayor reported that he met with the Inter Ministerial Committee responsible for Water, involving the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Higher and Tertiary education and the Ministry of Agriculture. The task force presented to the Mayor the need to procure from locally producing companies such as Chemplex. It is government policy to procure from locally producing companies. The council has to seriously consider options to procure from local companies when it comes to solid and liquid aluminium sulphate.

Municipal Police

Councillor Muleya said there is need to follow up on the municipal police revealing that this department was chaotic as officials do not report to any departmental head, seriously posing accountability problems in council. He said last time the council refused to have the municipal police report to either the Chamber Secretary or the Town Clerk's Department, leaving the Municipal police unaccountable. The councillor said "if you ask an individual which company he/she preferred to work for between the council and Delta Corporation they will prefer to work for the council, not because of monetary incentives but because people in council don't work. Around 9 am they will be cooking Sadza." This clearly shows that council employees are not dedicated to work yet residents continue to pay for services which the council seldom provide.

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