Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister Saviour Kasukuwere has proved very practical in pursuit of the restoration of sanity in Harare and other urban areas. Kasukuwere’s recent directive for the suspension of Engineer Christopher Zvobgo, reaffirms governments’ concern over citizen’s welfare.
BY JOHN,OUR READER
It still remains a myth to us that Harare city water supplies can be connected to illegal settlements without the green light or knowledge of the council. Indeed Engineer Zvobgo must be in the know of what was happening, otherwise he serves no purpose in the council. The council shares equal blame for the sprouting of the illegal settlements which they wittingly or unwittingly sanitise by connecting their water supplies.
Residents fall prey to the bogus land barons who use the connection of water by the council as proof that their co-operatives are genuine.
We understand that the council at times succumbs to political pressure from certain politicians who are also responsible for these illegal settlements. This, however, should not be an excuse for the council to abandon professionalism for someone’s political expediency. Unfortunately, the casualty is always the unsuspecting ordinary citizen whose lifetime investment ends up in the drain.
While demolition of the illegal structures is commendable, the authorities must also come down harder on the bogus land barons and the council officials who are involved in the illegal connection of water supplies.
While I verified the authenticity of a certain co-operative, which I think every home seeker must always do before parting with his or her money, I was told why the council works with co-operatives on undesignated land. I had asked why the council collects money from these co-operatives when they know very well that they are illegal. I was told that the council had realised that these co-operatives illegally stay for a very long time on council land while paying nothing to the council. According to the council official, the council at times provides services such as refuse collection just to curb disease outbreaks.
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From this conversation, I was left with the impression that the council’s connection of water to these co-operatives and the provision of other services is motivated by nothing more than money.
Sanity can never be restored when we have council officials who work at cross purpose with the central authority that is trying to restore same.
Indeed, there must be some shake-up at Town House if we really want to restore sanity in Harare and other urban areas.
