Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) City of Harare Deputy Mayor Kudzai Kadzombe has recently highlighted the inefficiencies of the Harare City Council (HCC), attributing its failure to collect garbage to the lack of arresting powers for municipal police.
In a statement on X, Kadzombe argued that the absence of these powers hinders enforcement, expressing frustration over the Attorney General’s prolonged delay in approving by-law amendments requested 15 years ago. The streets of Harare, once known as the “sunshine city,” are now plagued by mounds of uncollected trash, a situation the former Deputy Mayor attributes to these enforcement constraints.
However, blaming the lack of arresting powers for Harare’s waste management crisis is an inadequate explanation. Critics argue that municipal police seem to find no difficulty in enforcing laws when chasing commuter omnibuses, collecting bribes, or confiscating wares from vendors—yet seem ineffective against littering violations. The council’s selective enforcement has led many to question its true commitment to maintaining a clean and organized city.
The issue extends beyond arresting powers, as HCC has demonstrated an ability to enforce regulations when it suits them. With the council already collecting rates from residents and businesses, its continued failure to provide regular garbage collection services is indefensible. Business owners are often left with no choice but to dump their refuse in the city, exacerbating the litter problem. Furthermore, the lack of accessible rubbish bins across the Central Business District (CBD) encourages littering, undermining any potential efforts to curb it through arrests alone.
For the CCC-run council, the path forward is clear: it must prioritize consistent by-law enforcement, ensure regular waste collection, and place adequate waste disposal points throughout the city. Only by addressing these basic responsibilities can Harare hope to regain its former status and provide residents with a cleaner and healthier environment.
The council must shape up, or ship out, as residents demand accountability and effective governance from their local representatives.
