Uproar as Harare mulls forex rates

Municipal Reporter

HARARE City Council has been criticised for imposing forex rates on selected service charges without carrying out consultations with stakeholders, although the council said later that the water, rates, refuse and sewage bills can continue to be paid in local currency.

There are also concerns that charging exclusively in foreign currency is not only illegal, but also deprives people of their basic right to shelter as enshrined in the Constitution.

Combined Harare Residents Association programmes manager Mr Reuben Akili said residents anticipated the local authority to engage stakeholders on the issue.

“Our local authority must know and be informed that any policy intervention must be premised or preceded by consultation,” he said.

“The approach of populating and propagating policy pronouncements without engagement of stakeholders is a serious mistake.

“It remains unclear on the ‘certain charges’ that will be exclusively charged in United States dollars. This creates unnecessary battles between the local authority and residents.”

Reacting on the council’s Twitter account, @liztornado was skeptical of the move: “How can we be assured that service delivery will be improved?

“No rubbish collection has been happening in some areas for months. Burst pipes everywhere. Dirty streets (no one sweeping).”

In a statement, acting town clerk Engineer Phakamile Moyo had advised residents and stakeholders that ‘certain’ fees chargeable by council are now payable exclusively in US dollars with effect from yesterday.

“The fees exclude all charges that are accessible through the monthly bills, that is, water consumption, sewerage, refuse collection and rates,” he said. “The above mentioned charges will remain open to being payable using multi-currency as may be opted by the client.

“This development is in line with council’s resolution made on August 3, 2022 and the need to capacitate council to continue sustaining service delivery.

“The US dollar tariffs will remain as contained in the 2022 approved budget or Schedule 25 A.”

Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende yesterday said they were following the trend of other corporates charging some services in foreign currency.

“Council requires foreign currency to purchase fuel, chemicals, plant and equipment, among other things,” he said.