One of the critical priorities of the HRT is building a responsible citizenry. We note, with concern, a culture that is within the public towards the environment. There have been reports of vandalism of water and sewerage reticulation systems in communities such as Kambuzuma where residents were caught chopping a water pipe in search of water.
Electricity cables are daily vandalised by known and unknown residents residing within communities, driven by their greedy and narrow view of community belonging.
At a recent meeting on the water-demand situation in Harare, Engineer Christopher Zvobgo, the director of Harare Water indicated that the sewerage and water plants (Morton Jaffray and Prince Edward) had been affected by the use of grit (jecha) by residents. This choked the sewerage pipes pushing the City of Harare to buy three pressure pumps to clear drainage systems. This is an additional cost on the part of the local authority and will be shouldered by struggling residents.
Refuse collection is inconsistent. Instead of dumping waste in open areas in our communities, most citizens are forced to resort to burning their waste, further polluting the environment, as an alternative.
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While the responsibility to maintain a clean environment resides in the local authority, the public continues to cause excessive land pollution by throwing litter all over along the streets in the Central Business District.
What will become of our environment if everyone neglects their key responsibilities of playing their part?
Most of all, residents have a responsibility to pay their rates. The service delivery policy of the HRT does not side with residents who default on payment of rates. Residents of Harare expect services and for services to be delivered, council, Zesa and other service providers, require our money as ratepayers.
Simbarashe Majamanda
HRT Membership Officer
