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By Own Correspondent
A residents association group, Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust, ZNOART, is pleading with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step in to address the gross corruption and misgovernance affecting local authorities.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, ZNOART chairman Shalvar Chikomba said their efforts to engage with local authorities particularly urban, have come to nought and hence their ‘last hope lies with’ President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“All things being equal, our last hope lies with our meeting the President, H.E. ED Mnangagwa so that we relay to him residents’ concerns because local authorities have failed residents and ratepayers for a long time now with no immediate relief in sight,” Chikomba said.
The organisation which recently won an award at the Harare Metropolitan Excellence Awards blasted some local authorites for failing to adequately provide clean, reliable and affordable water.
“ZNOART is greatly concerned with the unavailability of water in our homes. This is in clear violation of Section 77 of our Constitution on the Right to Food and Water which states that every person has the right to safe, clean and potable water whether supplied by ZINWA or local authorities.
“Domestic taps in Masvingo, Bulawayo and Harare residential areas have gone for many years without the precious liquid yet councils continue to charge exorbitant bills for a service they are failing to deliver. Residents are irked by the way councils now rely on estimates, “added the ZNOART boss.
As 2023 draws nearer, ZNOART demands the following:
- Local authorities should avail clean water to all households connected to their water systems.
- Refuse collection should be done according to to refuse charges being collected. All dumpsites must be removed by councils as these are a result of a lack of proper waste management plans for use by residents.
- Budget rebasing should never be allowed again as the exorbitant rates exposed the illegality and non-participatory nature of the exercise.
- Billing systems should be based on actual readings and not estimates. All estimate readings are going to be resisted going forward.
The ZNOART also warned incumbent councillors that they risk being voted out next year owing to their incompetence and corrupt tendencies.
“What is manifesting in local authorities has shown us that we need to vote wisely next year by choosing councillors who are committed to service delivery rather than lining their pockets,” warned Chikomba.