Service delivery crisis: Harare residents’ struggle for basic amenities

Suburban

Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter

As Zimbabwe recently commemorated its 44th Independence Day, on April 18, 2024, the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) has highlighted the pressing issues faced by residents, particularly in the capital city of Harare.

Despite the hard-won freedom celebrated on this historic day, the residents of Harare are grappling with a dire service delivery crisis, impacting their quality of life.

In recent years, Harare has experienced a rapid influx of rural-to-urban migration, leading to a significant increase in its population. However, this surge in population has placed immense pressure on the city’s infrastructure and service providers. Basic amenities, such as water, sanitation, electricity, and waste management, have become increasingly scarce and unreliable, leaving residents in a constant struggle for access to essential services.

In a statement the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) national chairperson Mr Shalvar Chikomba said that it is sad to note that the authorities mandated to manage the welfare of Harare residents are failing to adapt to the growing needs of the population, resulting in widespread incompetence and mismanagement. The consequences of this neglect are palpable across the city, with residents enduring prolonged water shortages, erratic power supply, uncollected waste, and inadequate sanitation facilities.

“As we honour the sacrifices made for our independence, we also acknowledge the ongoing struggle for better living conditions for all residents, particularly in urban areas like Harare, we cannot ignore the fact that the rapid urbanisation has placed immense pressure on service providers, resulting in inadequate infrastructure, unreliable utilities, and substandard living conditions for many residents,” he said.

ZNOART reiterated the need to uphold the spirit of the nation’s fighters by advocating for meaningful change in the management of city resources and services. The organisation called for a concerted effort to address the challenges and transform the welfare of residents, emphasising that the responsibility lies with all stakeholders to ensure a better quality of life for the people of Zimbabwe.

“We stand united in our commitment to bring about positive change for the residents of Harare and beyond. It is imperative that we work together to address the service delivery needs and improve the living standards of our communities,” said Mr Chikomba.