Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Harare South Ward 12 residents have raised concerns about land barons, illegal housing construction, and the invasion of land reserved for schools, markets, and community centres.
The ward’s pre-budget consultative meeting on Saturday also discussed the problem of double allocations of residential stands and the selection process for the person who remains on the stand.
In an interview, Ward 12 Harare South Councillor Simon Manzanga urged residents not to buy residential stands from land barons, warning that illegal settlements are affecting the provision of basic services, including schools.
“There are no schools yet, the area was illegally occupied, and children are going to schools that are far away,” he said.
Residents also raised concerns over the payment of rates, with only about 50 percent of residents in three cooperatives currently paying their bills to the City of Harare.
Councillor Manzanga said residents requested the city to allow all residents to pay rates.
“They said council should resolve for residents to make monthly payments to council. Those funds will be used for developments in the ward, including road rehabilitation,” he said.
Councillor Manzanga said the lack of approved maps is one of the major reasons some residents are not paying their rates, although efforts are underway to regularise the outstanding maps.
“Residents also said they require markets, especially for women, where they can do self-help projects in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.”
