The biggest chunk of Harare City Council’s income is from the water account. Recent budget consultations revealed that of the $64 million collected to end of July 2012, 58 percent was from the water account. The City’s proposed 2013 Budget was presented by the Finance and Development Committee in October.
“Water is the council’s cash cow, and has reportedly financed most council’s operations, including payment of salaries and administration costs. Yet there has not been any meaningful investment of into infrastructure development and expansion of water services,” says HRT in a statement this week. “Water remains dirty and largely unavailable. Unbelievably, the council has been quick to act against residents of Rugare who owe the council huge amounts of money.
The HRT reiterates that budget formulation by the City of Harare should always link the costing of services to the incomes of the target people who will ultimately fund the budget.
Most Rugare people are pensioners who worked for the National Railways of Zimbabwe and have to survive on paltry monthly incomes of $13. They owe the City of Harare thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, mostly based on estimates.”
HRT suggests that residents should seriously consider taking the council to court over non-delivery of public services, for which they continue to charge. “The social contract between the two parties has been breached by the council unfortunately for more than 15 years now,” says the statement.
Post published in: News