By Dickson Bandera
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is set to hold a high-level meeting with City of Harare councillors and executives this afternoon as concerns mount over the capital’s worsening service delivery and governance issues.
The meeting, scheduled for 2PM at Town House, comes amid strained relations between central government and the local authority, which has faced accusations of mismanagement and failure to provide basic services such as waste collection, clean water supply and road maintenance.
Harare had set an ambitious target to regain its clean and orderly status by 2025 — a goal that has proven elusive as uncollected refuse, burst sewer pipes, poor street lighting and pothole-riddled roads continue to blight the city.
The misalignment between government expectations and the city’s performance has drawn widespread criticism from residents and civic groups who blame poor planning, corruption and lack of accountability for the capital’s decline.
Today’s meeting is expected to tackle these challenges and seek practical ways to restore basic services and revive the capital’s image. The outcome could shape the next steps in enforcing better management and improved service delivery for millions of residents who rely on the local authority.
