CHRA urges residents to reject the astronomical 2009 city budget

The council's technocrats and finance committee, unfortunately backed
by the councilors, in sheer disregard of the best practice budget
formulation and the process stipulated by the Urban Councils Act
(29:15) Section 219 (consultation of residents) drew-up a multi-million
United States dollar budget. The budget designates a whopping 55% (US$
101,585 m) for salaries and allowances. It is therefore not surprising
that the lowest paid council employee is allegedly earning more than
US$290 and more than US$100 million (water and sewer charges not
included) of the projected income is to be rated on the poverty-
stricken resident.

Below is a bird's eye view of the budget

The city fathers agreed on a four day consultation of the residents,
from the 5th to the 8th of March 2009. This period is too short and it
is reflective of the fact that the City of Harare is not sincere on the
issue of consulting residents but they just want residents to rubber
stamp the budget. The process is flawed, the rates are exorbitant and
the budget is a mere charade that ought to and will surely receive due
outrage and rejection by the residents.
The residents of Harare have been plagued by the collapsed service
delivery system, infrastructural collapse, leadership failure, poverty,
and disease among a horde of crises; they cannot afford the exorbitant
rates. The budget must ensure betterment of municipal service delivery
while the rates remain affordable and reflecting the true
socio-economic strata.
CHRA will continue to mobilize the Harare residents and partner with
other stakeholders in ensuring affordable and effective municipal (and
other) service delivery and residents' participation in the local
governance.
Combined Harare Residents Association