Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has endorsed a waste collection agreement with Geo Pomona, despite resistance from city councillors, according to council minutes from December 2024.
Geo Pomona was granted approval by the Ministry of Local Government to oversee waste management in Harare, with the agreement including the transfer of City Council workers to the private firm. However, the Harare City Council Environmental Management Committee rejected the proposed takeover, affirming its stance against central government assuming control over waste management.
Council minutes revealed that councillors were surprised when the deal was publicly announced, as no official resolution had been passed. Concerns were raised that Mayor Mafume had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Geo Pomona without prior approval.
The decision has sparked criticism from residents, who argue that such agreements are being imposed without public consultation, raising fears of corruption. Initially opposed to Geo Pomona’s involvement, Mafume has since defended the deal, citing a government-led initiative to address Harare’s waste crisis.
He explained that waste management had been declared a national disaster, prompting the Ministry of Local Government to involve the private sector. Under the arrangement, the City of Harare, Geo Pomona, and the government are working together to clear dumping sites, with the city bearing no financial obligations.
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