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Local government media content update - Week of 10 October 2012
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
October 10, 2012

ZESA defies govt, continues with disconnections
The Herald
ZESA Holdings has embarked on a countrywide disconnection of electricity for both domestic and commercial consumers over unpaid bills. This comes just a few months after Government assured people that this had been stopped to pave way for the installation of pre-paid meters. The power utility has since installed 32 000 pre-paid meters in Harare and Bulawayo since August. ZESA spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira denied that they were disconnecting consumers. "If the contrary is happening, affected people must highlight that to us so that we look into the issue." Mr Gwasira said the pre-paid meter system would move to smaller towns when they secure vending equipment.

Water disconnections illegal
Daily News
A recent report in the Daily news stated that residents should be entitled for free to the first six cubic meters of water per month; hence local authorities's decision to switch off water defaulters was a violation of human rights and government policy. Water Resources Development and Management minister Sipepa Nkomo ordered local authorities not to disconnect people who fail to pay their bills. CHRA totally agrees with the minister that water disconnections should not be carried out because of the high health risk that comes with that arrangement.

Water shortages need solving
Daily News
Last week, residents in western suburbs were experiencing acute water shortages due to the pipes that burst at Morton Jeffrey Water Treatment Plant. A recent study done by CHRA revealed that due to these water shortages, some residents in Budiriro 5 have been selling a five liter of water for $2 as people are desperately looking for water; it was flowing freely out of damaged pipes along Mbuya Nehanda and Bank Street in the city centre of recent.

CHRA seeks road construction probe
Daily News
Combined Harare Residents Association wrote to Masunda demanding to know if council was not duped by Augur Investments, a company that was awarded the tender to construct a dual Airport Road by a commission set up by the previous Zanu PF government. CHRA claimed it suspected council could have been conned by the construction company because the project is "overpriced". According to the auditor general, the international standard price for new road construction is between $350 000 and $500 000 per km but the not more than 14km road to be constructed by Augur has already gobbled $14 million. The group also warned Masunda that in the event the local authority is being fleeced, residents will take relevant and necessary steps to make sure that Harare gets the right person at the right place for the good of the former sunshine city.

CHRA seeks government intervention
Daily News
The Combined Harare Residents Association wrote to the Prime Minister of the republic of Zimbabwe and cabinet seeking an injunction on the probe team that has been set by the minister of Local Government, Ignatius Chombo. The probe team has been set to look into the issue of the distribution of residential stands in Budiriro. The request of an interdict, is premised on the fact that cabinet knew all along that there was a housing project that was set to benefit residents of Budiriro and nothing was ever said about mayor Muchadei Masunda's conflict of interest considering that he chairs the Old Mutual board. CHRA believes that the minister has got a bone to chew with the mayor judging by his infamous history of suspending elected councilors and mayors. CHRA therefore urged the minister of Local Government Rural and Urban Development to first deal with his image in terms of transparency and accountability. To date, the minister has not gone public either to declare his assets and how he got them.

Residents groups to back draft constitution
The Standard
Bulawayo - Local residents associations resolved to support the Copac draft constitution during the Second All-Stakeholders' Conference set for October 21 to 23. The Associations formed an 11-member taskforce that would push for the inclusion of complete devolution of power, creation of a local government commission, recognition of residents associations among other demands, during the conference. The conference resolved to adopt and defend the Copac draft, but called on the select committee to address the identified content gaps within the draft constitution. The Conference attended by 30 residents associations from across the country, was organized by Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and the Zimbabwe Institute (ZI).

Mayor arrested on fraud charges
The Herald
Acting Chinhoyi Mayor Mr Busani Dube- Marumahoko was arrested for fraudulently selling a residential stand in the town. He was arrested together with a housing clerk in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities. Allegations against the two are that sometime in August this year a Chinhoyi man approached Mr Dube looking for a stand to buy. The acting mayor allegedly indicated that he had a stand he was selling for $2 500. The two agreed on terms of sale. Assistant Inspector Kohwera said the man paid $2000 promising to pay the balance. The buyer reportedly discovered that he had been shown a stand with a number different to the one on the housing forms. The prospective buyer reported the matter to the police, leading to the duos arrest.

ZESA robbing consumers with meter systems
Daily News
The re-introduction of pre-paid meters by ZESA has been touted in reports in the state media as a panacea to the persistent problems that the consumers have expressed disgruntlement for ages. As said by CHRA, ZETDC is not concerned about supplying the commodity but dreaming up ways of distributing the financial burden of deficient service delivery among hapless and long suffering consumers. CHRA has therefore argued that, ZESA should make sure that the new pre-paid meters come up with improved service delivery and less hours without power as is happening in most high-density residential areas.

Chitungwiza town clerk has case to answer
Daily News
A Harare magistrate ruled that former Chitungwiza Town Clerk Godffrey Tanyanyiwa, who is on trial for allegedly swindling the local authority of large sums of money, has a case to answer. In a short court ruling Magistrate Themba Kuwanda, who delivered the ruling on behalf of magistrate Mujaya, dismissed Tanyanyiwa's application for discharge at the close of the state's case. He did not give reasons for the dismissal of the application but said the reasons were going to follow in the main judgment. Tanyanyiwa, 43, is facing eight counts of fraud, one count of corruptly concealing from a principal of personal interest in a transaction and 52 counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

Chombo anti-development
Daily News
Residents groups accused Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo of being arrogant and anti-development by stopping construction of 3 000 residential stands by CABS in Harare. Chombo ordered that land which was given to CABS should be repossessed because Mayor Muchadei Masunda is Chairperson of Old Mutual, a company that controls the building society. Obert Gutu, the MDC Harare Provincial spokesperson said Chombo should first deal with his failures than be a stumbling block to service delivery by the MDC run council. According to the deal between CABS and council, the financial institution was supposed to service 3 000 stands in the high-density suburb of Budiriro and build housing units for those on Harare's waiting list.

Council failing to deliver
Daily News
Residents in Mbare are experiencing serious water problems henceforth they have resorted to washing, drinking water from unsafe sources especially Tredgold Circle Street, Rusike Street and Munyanda Street. It appears council is failing to provide adequate water for Harare. Mbare residents are therefore appealing to UNICEF, Churches and other organizations to help so as to avoid a waterborne disease outbreak.

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