GLEN NORAH B RESIDENTS UPDATE

This was raised during a focus group discussion held in Glen Norah B community on Saturday 14 May 2011. The residents expressed serious concern with their councillor Hebert Gomba (Ward 27) who they accused of focusing on his political career and accumulating wealth than attending to expressed residents issues. They said that he is no longer part of the community, and has been interfering in food distribution by some local non-governmental organisations which have allegedly become too partisan in their work. The councillor has previously attempted to hold community meetings but they have been poorly attended as most people feel that he has neglected his responsibilities.

Other issues raised include;

Water supply: Residents said that water meters are dysfunctional in the area. Residents have made reports at the local district office but there have not been any positive responses. The council has instead asked the residents with damaged metres to buy their own metres. When replacing the dysfunctional metres, council employees reportedly take away the old meters with them.

o There is a burst water pipe at number 6276 Glen Norah B the pipe was damaged way back in 2005. Despite reports made to the local district office, the situation has not been addressed, as water continues to gush out. The residents are relying on a borehole sunk by the United Nations Childrens Education Fund (UNICEF).

o City of Harare should ensure that the water problems are addressed by improving supplies because only one borehole is servicing the area. Two other boreholes are now broken done. The Member of Parliament Gift Dzirutwe is reportedly trying to get them repaired to improve residents access to water.

Refuse Collection: The residents said that the council promised to collect refuse every Monday. Although refuse is being collected on a weekly basis, residents indicated that the collections are inconsistent as residents are then forced to use illegal dumping sites.

Sewerage: There is a serious sewerage burst at number 6279 Glen Norah B suweji irikukwata. The District Office is crippled in the area and has failed to do much on the issue. Residents have often been told to offer transport to the District Office so that some officials will make the repairs.

Housing: The residents said that the council flats are expensive, houses in the area are in bad state and rates are unaffordable. There is inadequate space for lodgers in the area which has led to overcrowding in some council houses. The residents said that they do not understand how council bills for their houses as the cost can go up to $500.00. The cost for those who have title deeds and those without is just the same.

Health: There is concern over the unprofessional conduct of nursing staff at Glen Norah Poly-Clinic. Most patients are just referred to Harare Hospital which is also overwhelmed. Elderly women at the discussion said that the local clinic discharges mothers who would have given birth the next day very early in the morning which may affect the health of the child. According to them, this is evidence of the pressure at the local clinic.

There is no road maintenance by council in the community. The council just patches roads with sand which is easily weathered away.

ZESA load shedding is inconsistent and has become unbearable to most residents as most of the time they have no electricity in the community.

The full report will be following. For details and comments, please contact us on info@hrt.org.zw/ hretrust@yahoo.com or visit our website www.hrt.org.zw or mobiles 0772 869 294/ 0773 249 039