Harare Residents’ Groups Reject Government’s Waste Management Takeover Plan
By Memory Chivhunga
Three prominent residents’ groups—the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), Harare Residents Trust (HRT), and Harare Metropolitan Residents Forum (HAMREF) have united in opposition to the central government’s proposed takeover of waste management in the capital.
In a joint statement issued at a press conference at the CHRA offices, the organizations condemned the plan, calling it an assault on devolution and a violation of Zimbabwe’s constitution.
“We view this as a direct attack on devolution and the constitution of Zimbabwe,” the statement read, highlighting concerns that the move could strip the City of Harare of its mandate to manage its own affairs.
The proposal aims to shift control of waste management services, along with essential resources such as equipment and personnel, from the City of Harare to the Ministry of Local Government.
Residents’ groups argue this is part of a broader scheme to funnel municipal assets to politically connected elites under the guise of improving service delivery.
“The Ministry of Local Government has contributed to Harare’s governance issues and lacks both the moral authority and foundation to address these problems, especially in waste management,” the statement added.
The groups accuse the government of centralizing power instead of implementing devolution as outlined in the constitution, particularly Chapter 14, which emphasizes the importance of local authorities retaining their powers.
“It is concerning that rather than implementing devolution, the government has been expanding its undue involvement in local authority functions, centralizing power for self-serving reasons,” the statement continued.
The residents’ groups warned of possible resistance, including intensified rate boycotts, should the government proceed with the takeover.
“The City of Harare and the central government should prepare for resistance to this self-serving agenda if they transfer waste management services to the central government.” said the residents
Residents across the city are also voicing their concerns.
Paradzai Munetsi, a resident of Kuwadzana 3, expressed his frustration.
“Where is the devolution if they want to hand over local authorities’ responsibilities to the central government? If there is devolution, it means local authorities should retain their powers,” he said
A former council employee, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed these sentiments, accusing elites of already controlling the system.
“The system is penetrated. The council authorities are corrupt and will prioritize their own pockets, not the needs of the citizens,” he said
Critics argue that the move reflects a pattern of autocratic tendencies from both the City of Harare and the central government, which they say has fuelled corruption and graft within the local government system.
