Harare unbundles

new structure intended to reposition and transform the city in line with the new vision to be a world class city by 2025.
The full council will have to approve the changes.
This idea is not new after council, seven years ago, passed a resolution to unbundle its operations but later shelved it.
The unbundling would mean that the units would operate like any other business, making a profit.
Of the existing units still operating as departments or under departments, Harare Water would be the first to be split into a stand alone unit reporting to a board of directors.
The waste management department would be unbundled into a utility to be known as Harare Waste.
There would be Harare Roads, Harare Emergency, Harare Metro Police, Harare Revenue, Harare Parks, Harare Procurement, Harare Estate and Harare Municipal Medical Aid Society.
Other wealth creating units such as Harare Farms, Harare Quarry, Harare Horticulture, Harare Parking, Harare Hospitality, Harare Pest Control, Harare Workshops, Harare Printing and Harare Markets would be formed.
The move may attract competition from other businesses, especially in water distribution where private companies are already providing bulk water to households in areas where the city service is poor.
The city had initially targeted to be a world class city by 2015 but due to unforeseen logistical problems the vision has been reviewed.
Town Clerk Dr Mahachi confirmed the recommendation for unbundling on the sidelines of a city workshop at a local lodge in Glen Lorne last Friday.
In 2004 the city council passed a resolution to split the city operations but it was not fully implemented because the then council objected and questioned some of the deals.
A number of fundamentals have also changed since 2004 prompting the council to revisit the earlier resolution.
Departments like urban planning services, finance, corporate services, housing and community services, health and human resources would fall under central administration.
These departments would be tasked with service planning and regulation.
“We are trying to make sure that council becomes very efficient. This is a radical transformation. We will take the proposals to full council for endorsement,” said Dr Mahachi.
He said the concept started in Germany and spread through Europe. South African cities use a similar model.
Johannesburg Roads has grown so big that it now has road construction contracts in Mozambique.
Dr Mahachi said council had secured partners in some of the ventures.

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