HARARE Mayor Jacob Mafume is fast-tracking the city’s rollout of prepaid water meters as part of a broader push to tackle financial leakages, improve service delivery and restore order in the capital. In this in-depth interview with Freeman Makopa (FM), Mafume outlines the council’s 2026 agenda, which includes recovering an estimated US$200 million highlighted by the auditor-general, modernising municipal systems through digitisation, expanding prepaid water metering and stepping up road rehabilitation. The discussion also touches on contentious issues such as illegal land invasions, unregulated settlements, waste management and efforts to attract investment while strengthening coordination with central government. Below are excerpts of their discussion:
FM: What are your major priorities in 2026?
JM: We are going to intensify the placement of prepaid water meters. About 60 000 water meters are already in the country; 5 000 have been installed so far and we aim to put in a total of 322 000 meters.
We also plan to install meters in all towns that we supply with water. As you know, Chitungwiza receives water from us, but the town does not pay for it despite residents paying the municipality. We are going to make sure that revenue is collected.
We will start drawing water from Darwendale by the end of March. Two pumps are already finished, which will give us more water while using fewer chemicals. Lake Chivero water is dirty, as you know.
We are working with the Ministry of Transport on roads. They have built a new asphalt plant on the outskirts of the city and we will get the product 50-50 with the ministry to work on inner-city roads. This will reduce damage to vehicles and improve the roads.
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FM: What else are you planning?
JM: We want to restore order in the city. Street fathers and mothers, vending and other informal activities must be managed to improve the city’s ambience, cleanliness and navigability. We will also ask business owners to improve the appearance of their properties.
FM: What will happen to those who fail?
JM: Property owners with substandard buildings will be fined. If necessary, the council will renovate and bill the owners.
FM: How much funding has been secured for road maintenance this year and when can residents expect visible improvements?
JM: Work will be visible in the inner city from the end of this month. We will work closely with the ministry and rely on the resources government provides. We are also pushing for a more equitable share of road user fees, since Harare has the bulk of motorists in the country.
FM: The city has faced criticism over weak financial management.
JM: We are now catching up with salaries and funding service delivery. We aim to reduce leakages so more funds go to service delivery. President Emmerson Mnangagwa issued a Statutory Instrument on minimum service delivery standards and we signed a performance contract with him.
We are committed to delivering for residents. We are right-sizing operations to afford what we need, aiming to become creditworthy and move away from hand-to-mouth operations.
FM: Let us talk about illegal settlements and unregulated development.
JM: We will not take a soft stance on land invasions. People should not buy from fly-by-night sellers or treat land like street goods. They must consult lawyers and verify with the city council. Land is permanent; money can disappear. Once a plot is flagged as suspect, people should not proceed or they risk losing their hard-earned cash.
FM: Harare competes with other regional cities for investment. What is the council doing to improve ease of doing business?
JM: We have reduced the cost and number of licences, in line with government directives. We will provide incentives, improve public transport, energy supply, including a solar plant to make Harare energy self-sufficient and address water issues. Residents already benefit from good safety, education and transport, as well as an airport with international connectivity. These measures aim to attract investment.
FM: Relations with central government affect funding and service delivery. How is the city coordinating?
JM: We are working closely with government and the President. We have already seen benefits, such as in GeoPomona, and expect further investment in roads and other services that keep the city running.
FM: Any updates on the Harare Municipal Medical Aid Society (HMMAS)?
JM: We are right-sizing HMMAS, we have reintroduced the board and we are implementing commission recommendations. We aim to improve operations, ensure membership cards are accepted, upgrade clinics and lease some clinics to benefit employees and dependents. It is a work in progress.
FM: Traffic officers have faced challenges from commuter and minibus operators. How will the city protect them?
JM: We have met with the 13 commuter associations. They must form one umbrella body and self-regulate. If they fail, the city will impose strict law enforcement. This is an opportunity to bring sanity to transport operations, such as in Bulawayo and other African cities.
Continued defiance will not be tolerated; law enforcement must be respected and the city cannot be chaotic.