This is a maiden article in “My City” column, an attempt by AMH to give local voices and activists an opportunity to debate critical issues affecting ordinary citizens. Mfundo Mlilo
In this issue, I reflect on the accountability and governance problem at Town House in Harare, which manifests in conflicting policy positions between Council and Bureaucrats and its adverse impact on social service delivery.
More importantly, these conflicting policy statements erode the confidence of residents in the City leadership at both levels.
On March 9 this year, the Mayor of Harare, Ben Manyenyeni attended a conference organized by the Combined Harare Residents` Association (CHRA) and declared that the City was still consulting on the policy of pre-paid water meters, ergo, there was “nothing concrete”.
A few days later, Harare City Town Clerk, Tendai Mahachi declared, in direct contradiction to the Mayor, that the City was going ahead with plans to install prepaid meters with a pilot phase earmarked for Tafara/Mabvuku.
Baring the fact that there is no evidence that the people of Tafara/Mabvuku agreed to be the councils Guinea Pigs in this worrisome experiment, this example raises serious questions of accountability, decision making and of who is in charge at Town House.
If the city is going ahead with its plans, is the mayor then misinforming the public?
Is it possible that such developments can take place without the knowledge and assent of the city fathers?
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Harare’s information corridors are awash with speculation that some companies have already submitted samples for the project, and yet there is sparse to no evidence of any tender procedures being followed.
In addition there is no record of the elected council discussing and making a decision on this issue?
In Harare, the gap between policy pronouncements by council and actions by its staff is ever increasing and the contradictions seem to know no bounds. For instance, just this week, the city’s treasury department reported that it had disconnected water services to over 1200 households in contradiction to the policy position of non-water disconnection that Manyenyeni has articulated in various fora.
Issues related to the recent chicken ban are another show-case of these contradictions. These issues beg the question of how a (Town) House so divided in thought and action can run a city effectively and efficiently.
In addition, where do bureaucrats at Town House get the power to contradict with their “bosses”, at each turn with impunity and no sanctions?
If the council is not the power behind the throne of the Town Clerk for instance, given the contradictions, then who is? Who is directing, accountable and making decisions at Town House?
Accusations abound to the effect that Central government has a hidden hand controlling Town House bureaucracy.
This matter could be addressed though the executive mayoral system, coupled with an urgent review of the Urban Councils Act, which creates several avenues for central government interference into the operations of local authorities.
It is common cause that the current Minister of Local Government has consistently interfered with the administration of local authorities, and in some cases issued threats to fire mayors and councilors who fail to take heed to his directives. The major victims of this situation have been residents who continue to face the brunt of poor and collapsing social services.
Mfundo Mlilo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Combined Harare Residents` Association (CHRA)
