Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
MBARE Ward 3 Councillor Cde Simbarashe Chanachimwe has encouraged residents occupying council flats to meet and agree on rental amounts they can afford, which will then be consolidated and submitted for consideration in the City of Harare’s 2027 budget.
The call followed heated discussions over rental increases during a City of Harare 2027 pre-budget consultative meeting held at Mai Musodzi Hall on Monday.
Cde Chanachimwe said residents from the different blocks of flats should first reach consensus on the rentals they are prepared to pay before their proposals are submitted to council.
“We then compile (the proposals). Now is the time to agree on how much rent we want to pay. What we agree on is what will apply in 2027,” he said.
This means residents are expected to agree among themselves on a proposed rental amount, with the consolidated position set to inform the rentals applicable to the flats in 2027.
Cde Chanachimwe also called for an end to evictions and the locking out of residents from the flats while the budget consultations are underway.
“Evictions from the flats and being locked out from today onwards while we are working on our budget should stop.
“But we are urging residents to pay the current amounts they owe council. You can visit the district officer to make a payment plan for arrears,” he said.
He proposed that the 2027 budget provide for the construction of council primary and secondary schools in Mbare to address the shortage of affordable schools in the area.
Cde Chanachimwe also raised concerns over limited access to maternity services, noting that Mbare and Southerton have only one maternity clinic, Edith Opperman Clinic.
He proposed that council set aside funds for the construction of a council-run creche, saying private facilities were expensive for many residents.
He further proposed that council identifies land for the construction of another drug rehabilitation centre in Mbare.
