Residents boycott budget meeting

Harare residents are boycotting council's pre-budget consultation meetings in protest over the local authority's deteriorating service delivery.

The 2016 pre-budget consultation meetings ended at the weekend and were characterized by apathy as disaffected residents chose to demonstrate their frustrations by distancing themselves from the meetings.

Facilitated by local councilors, the meetings are held every year in accordance with provisions of Urban Councils Act, which requires urban local authorities to consult residents and other stakeholders whose views are supposed to be incorporated in the budget for the following year.