Staff Reporter
Chronic mismanagement, including the absence of key personnel, a flawed billing system, and deteriorating infrastructure, has derailed Harare's ambitious Vision 2025 to become a world-class city.
Issues such as dry water taps, uncollected garbage, and burst sewer pipes polluting water sources highlight the extent of the crisis.
In an interview with the media yesterday, Director of the Combined Harare Residents Association, Reuben Akili, raised alarm over the deteriorating state of Harare’s water and sewer systems, which he says are endangering public health.
“The sewer is contaminating our water sources, making it difficult to ensure a clean water supply for residents. This issue has been neglected for far too long, and it poses a serious health risk, especially with the looming threat of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The local authority must act urgently to address this crisis,” said Akili.
Global standards for city performance focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, and service delivery paint a bleak picture of Harare.
Non-functioning traffic lights, dilapidated streetlights, and mountains of uncollected garbage point to years of neglect.
“These are basic issues the council should address, yet they have been left to worsen,” lamented the director of the Harare Residents Trust, Precious Shumba.
Key vacancies in the city’s leadership have compounded the problem.
Harare has been operating without a substantive Chamber Secretary, Finance Director, or Human Capital Director for years.
Additionally, a flawed billing system has made it nearly impossible for the local authority to accurately track revenue, giving rise to allegations of massive corruption.
“Without critical personnel and a proper billing system, the city’s governance has been paralyzed. The lack of accountability has opened the door to corruption and inefficiency,” said a local governance expert.
A commission of inquiry is now investigating the longstanding issues plaguing the city council, including alleged corruption linked to the billing system.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume acknowledged the city’s failure to achieve its 2025 vision, citing leadership gaps as a key obstacle.
“We have struggled due to these challenges, but we are now working to fill the critical roles of Chamber Secretary, Finance Director, and Human Capital Director,” he said.
Experts, however, warn that Harare City Council has become a symbol of lethargy, with the cost of inaction falling squarely on residents.
As the city races to address its leadership and systemic issues, Harare’s world-class city dream remains a distant goal, one that may require more than just structural fixes to revive.
