While death is by God's design, the MRT calls on authorities to fully
investigate the circumstances leading to the crash that claimed her
life and left the PM injured. The question that remains unanswered to
us is why the PM was travelling unaccompanied by a State motorcade. May
her Soul rest in Peace. We wish the Prime Minister a quick recovery.
Mbare Residents Want a Reasonable Budget. No to Unjustified rates!
The City of Harare has announced its 2009 Estimate Budget of around US$185 million. In terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), Section 219, Subsection (2) and (3), the estimate budget has to be closely scrutinized by the residents at their respective local council offices, who in turn can object to any estimates if they are unreasonable, unjustified and or unaffordable within a thirty day period after the placement of the first advertisement in a local newspaper.
Subsection 3 of Section 219 categorically states that if a statement has been advertised and within thirty days referred above, objections to the proposed tariffs, charges or deposits are lodged- (a) by thirty or more persons who are voters or who are users of that service to which the tariff, charge or deposit relates, or (b) where there are less than thirty such users of the service concerned, by less than fifty percent of the number of such users; such tariffs, charges or deposits shall be reconsidered by the council, together with the objections so lodged and they shall not come into operation unless the resolution is again passed by a majority of the total membership of the council: Provided that the council may in these circumstances, by such resolution, fix lower tariffs, charges or deposits than those objected without further advertising.
In meetings held with residents following the announcement of the estimate budget, residents are anxious. The MRT, in collaboration with the Harare Residents Trust (HRT) is in the process of breaking down all the estimates to afford all residents an opportunity to understand the council's proposals. Experienced people are being widely consulted on the impact and implications of the budget on the livelihoods of the poor Mbare community. Meetings with councillors and other stakeholders have been lined up to ensure that the budget is subjected to further scrutiny to assist residents to make an informed position on the whole budget.
MRT Chairperson David Samukange said: The council should come up with reasonable charges that are commensurate with the services they offer to the residents of Harare. So far, the council has not done much to deserve these high rates. Residents are really shocked and will respond accordingly.
There has not been consistent refuse collection or service provision in Mbare since 2007. The MRT calls on the councillors to positively respond to the demands and expectations of the citizens.
While residents appreciate their monthly obligations to the City of Harare, they will not pay unjustified and unreasonable rates. The Council has to be transparent and accountable in everything it does for the residents. Considerations have to be given to the impact of the 2005 Operation Murambatsvina, the sources of income of the majority residents and the quality of services expected.
Mbare Residents Trust
Post published in: News