Harare chaos: Who is to blame?

"When a man always blame another, you can only suspect that he is covering his own flaws," so says the wise.

And the statement somewhat typifies the volatile relationship between Harare City Council and its residents.

Nevertheless, the metropolitan authorities have for a long time endured unrelenting attacks from residents for almost every single thing which goes wrong in the CBD.

The blame, on the other hand, has never been actually reciprocal as residents appear to be the ones bowling vitriol at the embattled council every moment.

However, the tide seems to be swinging in the opposite direction.

Observers say while the city fathers have failed dismally in service delivery, the obtaining lawlessness in the capital falls squarely on residents.

From unreserved disregard of basic road traffic laws to setting up of humongous vending markets, the perception in some pockets of society now is that the people of Harare are blemishing the "Sunshine City" all on their own.

"The City belongs to the community or to the residents who should look after it as if they are looking after their own houses," Harare City acting corporate communications manager Michael Chideme said.

Disregard for traffic rules, illegal vending and wanton throwing of litter in the streets are said to be the principal problems facing the city.

As such, motorist, a good number of whom are not licensed, are virtually rewriting and redesigning traffic laws in town.

And the most worrying thing, experts say, is that the lawlessness is no longer peculiar to commuter omnibus drivers but even those perceived as elite.

As a result, it is now common to see vehicles, including those from public service, proceeding against a red robot.

It is also no longer a surprise to see a vehicle travelling in opposite lane as everyone appears to be in hurry to get to their destination while completely ignoring that there are others road users.

Furthermore, commuters, in need of convenience, embark and demand to be dropped at undesignated points and all of this lawlessness leads to traffic jam and subsequently a road rage.

Motorists end up shouting, cursing and hooting thereby creating even more confusion.

The case unfolding at the courts where footballer Method Mwanjali is being accused of stabbing and injuring a man who allegedly blocked his way at Longcheng plaza is just a an example of how road fury can end up being messy.

There are numerous cases at the courts involving people who would have fought or threatened to use fire arms due to minor road traffic misunderstandings.

Then there is the bigger dilemma of illegal vendors.

Since they were forced out of the CBD last year, vendors appear to have returned to the streets and pavements with vengence.

"Who is the illegal vendor? It is us the residents who are buying from the vendors. It is us the residents who are paying bribes. It is us residents who cause traffic jams, proceed against one way roads or red traffic lights and it is us who litter the streets," said one Harare resident.

"Just look at the lawless situation which takes over the moment it gets dark. The disorder is unbelievable."

Experts say in as much as vendors are people who are fighting for survival, they should conduct their business in line with the law.

Most of them have refused to go to designated sites saying the places attract few customers, a reason which demonstrates the vendors are not willing to vacate the current areas of operation. It has been more or less the same case with the problem of litter.

Council has introduced a number of programs and operations to tackle lawlessness in the CBD but Mr Chideme said these can only work with the help of the community.

"Yes the blame will always be put on us but for each and every one of our programs to succeed we need the support of the community," he said.

"The community should play its part and they will do that by disembarking at designated sites, by disposing litter in to the bin and by observing traffic rules and other by-laws.

"So it starts with us all, even the very pettiest of things. In whatever we do let's look after our city like we are looking after our own assets."

Combined Harare Residents Association Chairman Simbarashe Moyo said the buck stops with the council adding that the current planning makes it difficult for residents to play their part

"Let me start firstly by saying the planning in the city is very poor," he said.

"For example the designing of one way traffic system is very confusing for people who drive into Harare for the first time.

"Even law enforcements agents are compromised so it becomes very hard. But yes we have a role to play as residents.

"A realistic and workable solution can however only come up through a multi-stakeholders indaba where we consult and ask each other how we can best solve the situation."

Rural and urban development expert and lecturer at University of Zimbabwe Mr Nyasha Mutsindikwa said its time residents accepted their role and cooperated with Council.

"Residents must see the city as if it is their own and look after it, if you are not paying your rates you are not playing your part," he said.

"Council and residents must find each other and come up with a solution which benefits everyone.

"Council and the residents are one thing, they cannot be separated and the sooner they work together the better because the situation will improve."

People are doing things they despise doing in their homes and observers believe there should be a change of mindset for sanity to return to Harare.