The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Residents should rise above “emotional, partisan political choices” and vote for people who are capable of delivering services to the city during the March 26 by-elections, the Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) has said.
Successive opposition-led councils, which have been plagued by corruption and allegations of gross incompetence, have presided over deteriorating service delivery.
In a statement, HRT executive director Mr Precious Shumba said upcoming by-elections present residents with an opportunity to elect competent city fathers.
“The upcoming by-elections in local authorities present Zimbabwean ratepayers with a great opportunity to rise above emotional, partisan political choices and elect capable individuals who have the mindset, attitude, experience and capacity to serve the ratepayers,” said Mr Shumba.
“The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) considers transparency, accountability and democratic governance as the foundation for improved service delivery in Zimbabwe.”
He said during the last elections residents voted for incompetent councillors along party lines.
“Undeserving, incompetent and very corrupt political party activists became councillors.
“Some of these incompetent councillors became so corrupt that they became untouchable and unaccountable to the ratepayers as they pursued their personal interests, especially in land allocations and creating low-level job opportunities for their party activists.”
