By Lloyd Takawira
A scheduled virtual full council meeting by Harare city council for the third time in a roll failed to take place after councillors failed to form a quorum, a move which residents attribute to the deteriorating service delivery in the capital city.
Harare which has a total of 46 wards (councillors), now has 23 wards(councillors) recalled by the MDC-T. However, of the remaining 23 Councilors only six of them were available for the meeting which was supposed to be convened via Zoom platform.
According to the Urban Council Act 29:15(85)(1), “one third of the total membership of a council, together with one other Councilor shall form a quorum.”
Commenting on the unfortunate events at HCC, residents under the banner, Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) said that the recalls have done a great disservice to the running of the capital city.
The residents lobby group also attributed the deteriorating service delivery to the recalls.
“Full Council Meetings are responsible for making resolutions that will be implemented by the technocrats and failure to hold these meetings have a bearing on social service delivery.”
The residents urged the remaining Councillors to take council business seriously.
“CHRA call on the remaining Harare City Councillors to take Council business seriously by attending Full Council Meetings as this has implications on social service delivery and serious political costs ahead of 2023 elections”.
The various opposition fragmentations has seen most elected officials being recalled across the country. The judicially reconstituted MDCT led by Senator Douglas Mwonzora argues that it has the right to recall anyone who doesn’t follow its constitution.
