by Innocent Mujeri
Netizens have said that Harare’s ambitious vision to attain the world-class city status by 2025 is a pipeline dream as the current City fathers have no capacity to turn around the fortunes of the capital city.
This came after Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume defended the late response of the City’s fire brigade’s department to the horrific accident that happened last Sunday’s morning and claimed the life of socialite and businessman Genius Kadungure.
Netizens had asked why the Fire Brigade failed to attend the accident scene and Mafume said the City had no toll free number where such incidences could be reported.
“We have a functional fire department. The issue is there is no dedicated toll free line, like 911 in Harare, our networks did not give us. Our fire brigade was called late. Emergency numbers on bills & are not toll free. Have asked @Potraz to regulate this,” tweeted Mafume.
However, Mafume received backlash from Twitter users who said that the Mayor was incompetent and he was trying to cover his incompetency by blaming mobile networks for not availing a toll free number to the City.
“Did you apply for a toll line or you are waiting for the networks to offer you? This is a lame excuse coming from an esteemed office. I believe in time frames, when should we follow up with you about the emergency toll free number Mr Mayor?” tweeted Linda Masarira in response.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana reminded Mafume that part of his job as Harare Mayor was to engage with stakeholders in the best interest of rate payers.
“Part of your job includes engaging stakeholders in the best interests of the ratepayers. When we needed a Toll-free line to run our Covid19 related Helpline we easily got 2023 and 2019 in a matter of days”, tweeted Mangwana.
Another Twitter user, Chitandare Makombe, said if the City could not have a functional fire brigade department, it therefore means that the world class city status they are vying for is just a dream.
“As the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare is naturally expected to lead the way in terms of showing other cities and towns how to develop a modern city. A world-class city has numerous characteristics, and is not easy to achieve. The characteristics include top-notch infrastructure, efficient transportation, a skyline decorated with skyscrapers, clean water, and efficient waste management systems. If the City cannot have a functional fire brigade department, it means their vision of a world class status by 2025 is just a dream,” said Makombe.
Harare is targeting a world class city status by 2025, however the city is still marred by haphazard settlements, water crisis, dirty building and bursting sewage pipes, an indication that the City has a long way to go before attaining a world class city status.
