The state of waste management, water hygiene and sanitation in Harare is a crisis that demands immediate attention. The city's streets are littered with garbage, its residents struggle to access clean water, and overall hygiene standards are poor. This raises serious questions about the Harare City Council's role and responsibilities in service delivery. As a resident, I recently visited areas like Kuwadzana, Kambuzuma and Mufakose where I observed a dire situation, with garbage blocking roads and a general sense of neglect. The council's failure to deliver basic services, such as waste management and clean water provision, poses a significant risk of communicable diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
The deep-seated corruption and mismanagement within the Harare City Council are undermining the country's economic development and growth. It is important to understand that a healthy nation is crucial for economic development and growth, as it enables citizens to contribute meaningfully to the economy. However, the Harare City Council's activities are hindering these efforts. As such, the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) will become increasingly difficult if the council's shoddy activities continue, specifically, Target 3.9, which aims to "substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination" by 2030.
The recent preliminary findings from the Commission of Inquiry into the council's activities have highlighted the need for urgent reform, whih revealed that some council officials earn exorbitant salaries, exceeding $12,000 per month, while neglecting service delivery. This is particularly egregious, considering the water challenges and poor hygiene in the city, which have eroded residents' trust and confidence in the city council. Therefore, it is high time for the government to take decisive action against the city council, implementing strong measures to address the corruption and mismanagement that have plagued the council for far too long. One way to achieve this is by studying the approaches and strategies employed by other cities that have successfully addressed similar challenges. For instance:
Cape Town, South Africa, has implemented a robust framework for municipal governance, which includes measures to prevent corruption and promote transparency. The city has an online platform for tracking city expenditures and services, promoting transparency and accountability (City of Cape Town, 2020).
Nairobi, Kenya, has implemented various initiatives to promote transparency and accountability, including a citizen participation platform and an anti-corruption unit (Nairobi City County, 2020).
Accra, Ghana, has implemented a waste management system that includes collection, transportation, and disposal of waste, with a focus on promoting recycling and composting (Accra Metropolitan Assembly, 2020).
Mauritius (Port Louis) and Cabo Verde (Praia) have achieved significant progress in providing access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation facilities (UNICEF, 2019).
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has made notable improvements in water and sanitation services, particularly in urban areas (Addis Ababa City Administration, 2020).
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The experiences of these African cities offer valuable lessons for Harare City Council to learn from their approaches and strategies so that it can improve its own water sanitation, hygiene, and waste management services.
Given the extent of corruption and mismanagement within the Harare City Council, it may be necessary to take the following drastic measures to address the crisis:
The government should urgently intervene to address the challenges in Harare and take steps to ensure that the city is governed in a transparent and accountable manner, and that the rights of all citizens are protected. This may involve appointing a commission to run the city, as was done in the past, to restore order and stability.
The government should also implement robust accountability measures to ensure that the city council is transparent in its dealings and accountable to the residents. This could include regular audits, citizen-led monitoring initiatives, and other mechanisms to ensure that council officials are held accountable for their actions.
The city council should prioritize community engagement and involve residents in decision-making processes to ensure that their needs are met and their voices are heard. This could include regular town hall meetings, citizen-led planning initiatives, and other mechanisms to ensure that residents are actively engaged in the decision-making process.
The government should also prosecute council officials found guilty of corruption and mismanagement as a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. This would help to restore trust and confidence in the city council and demonstrate a commitment to accountability and transparency.
In conclusion, taking decisive action against the City Council's mischief will help to restore the trust and confidence of residents in the city council and ensure that Harare becomes a clean, healthy, and prosperous city for all its citizens. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) is critical, as it ensures that citizens live healthy and productive lives. By addressing these challenges, Harare can make significant progress towards achieving this goal and ensuring that the city becomes a better place for all its residents.
*Clever Marisa (PhD) is a Social Scientist and Public Health Practitioner. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of his affiliated institution or any other organisation
