Residents associations COH privatising service del...

Residents associations COH privatising service delivery will lead to asset looting

Zim Now Writer

The Combined Harare Residents Association and the Harare Residents Trust have criticised the Harare City Council’s plans to privatise service delivery, particularly waste management by Geo-Pomona Waste Management Pvt Limited, saying the move will lead to the city losing assets.

“This agenda aims to transfer the city’s assets to the elite class. The central government and certain individuals within the Harare City Council are promoting this agenda, which directly undermines local governance.The government’s push for Geo-Pomona Waste Management Pvt Limited to take over waste management in Harare without citizens’ input and participation is regressive and raises more questions than solutions to the waste management crisis," the association said in a statement.

The associations have raised concern on the issue citing that the privatisation of such services will not only burden the residents but also invalidate the justification and existence of the local authority, specifically the City of Harare.

“We completely reject any form of privatisation of municipal services because privatisation has historically failed in providing municipal services and has removed public oversight. This has marginalised residents in the local governance structure,” the associations argued in a statement.

The associations have also castigated the council for failing to consult the residents and ratepayers, who are the “hallmarks of democratic governance”.

“We urge the Harare City Council to provide transparent information on this matter, including sharing the decisions supporting the privatisation of waste collection and water supply in the city, as well as reports on consultations with residents.

“Our demands are consistent with Section 62 of the Constitution which requires public institutions to make available information in pursuit of public interest, protection of human rights, and public accountability.

“Hiding information creates the unfortunate impression that they have made other financially beneficial arrangements beyond the knowledge of the residents.

“We condemn the autocratic tendencies and centralisation of decision-making power and call on both the central government and the Harare City council to respect the people from whom their authority to govern is derived,” further reads the statement.