City council has failed us
EDITOR — City councils as administrative units are expected to provide services for residents. The services include clean drinking water, residential accommodation, refuse collection facilities, health services, security and order, maintaining sports and recreational facilities and roads among other duties.
Is the Harare City Council providing any of these services to Harare residents? Having been in Harare for just a few weeks, I was and still shocked by the state of the capital city also known as the “Sunshine City”. Is the sun still shining in the city?
One dreads getting into town driving or even walking because of the confusion. Dead traffic lights on almost all intersections and chaos caused by commuter omnibuses. Commuter omnibuses load anywhere causing disorder and creating a breeding ground for thieves.
The whole town is a market with vendors everywhere, anyone selling anything on pavements. The streets are full of litter which leaves one wondering if the council is failing to employ enough people to sweep the streets.
There is water flowing from burst pipes all over CBD and council leaves them unattended for weeks. Potholes are a common sight in the capital city and motorists have to manoeuvre their way.
Harare seems to be the filthiest place in Zimbabwe and council seems to be doing nothing to fix these problems. It has the dirtiest tap water and people have resorted to buying or looking for borehole water to drink. Little wonder water-borne diseases such as typhoid are a menace.
City authorities are failing to provide efficient and effective service. The city fathers are sleeping on duty. People are paying their rates and the council is collecting lots of revenue. The failures of Harare City Council do not need a fortune teller; they are there for everyone to see.
Recently they announced that they wanted to introduce CCTVs at most intersections in the city. How can they introduce CCTVs when the city is screaming for help in terms of service delivery? Concerned Resident.