Need to overhaul City of Harare

Harare City is a mess, the City of Harare, once celebrated as the “Sunshine City,” continues facing a decline in essential services, and there are now calls for the immediate resignation of Mayor Jacob Mafume and his administration. Residents are grappling with a multitude of challenges, including poisonous or unreliable water supply, deteriorating road infrastructure, inadequate sewage systems, and the unchecked destruction of vital wetlands.

Access to clean water has become a daily struggle for many Harare residents. Reports indicate that areas such as Highfield, Glenview and Budiriro are experiencing significant waste management and sewage maintenance crises due to poor service delivery by the Jacob Mafume led, Harare City Council.   The situation has escalated to the point where residents have approached Parliament, seeking intervention to compel the City Council to address these water challenges, which threaten to plunge the capital into a health crisis.

The city’s road network is marred by potholes, making transportation hazardous and contributing to the deterioration of vehicles. The sewage system is equally problematic, with frequent bursts and overflows posing serious health risks. Despite these pressing issues, there have been instances where the City of Harare’s top management has come under fire for procuring expensive vehicles, raising questions about the prioritization of resources amid the city’s poor service delivery.

Harare’s wetlands, crucial for maintaining the city’s water system and ecological balance, are under threat. Unregulated construction and private developments have encroached upon these areas, demonstrating a blatant disregard for environmental sustainability. The loss of wetlands exacerbates water scarcity and increases the city’s vulnerability to both drought and flooding.

Frustration among residents has reached a boiling point. Many believe that the current administration, led by Mayor Jacob Mafume, has failed to uphold its responsibilities. The Harare City Council has faced numerous complaints concerning poor service delivery, corruption, and discourteous treatment by municipal authorities. Some have even suggested that the council deserves to be run by a commission to address these issues effectively.

The deteriorating conditions in Harare are a clear indication of administrative failure. Property owners and residents must unite and demand the immediate resignation of Mayor Jacob Mafume and his administration. A comprehensive overhaul of the city’s leadership is essential to restore Harare’s former glory and ensure a sustainable, healthy environment for all its inhabitants.