City of Harare to offer car loans for City doctors

The Harare City Council has announced plans to assist its seven doctors in acquiring vehicles as part of efforts to strengthen health service delivery across the capital.

The development follows a meeting between the doctors and council's acting finance director, Godfrey Kusangaya, who confirmed the engagement. "Yes, I had a meeting with the doctors in my office. Our doctors have been at the forefront, but because of lack of resources, we were not able to give them vehicles. We just hope that by end of year, they will get something," Kusangaya said, without providing further details on the type of vehicles.

Mayor Jacob Mafume clarified that the council would not directly purchase vehicles for the doctors but would instead facilitate a loan scheme, enabling them to buy cars and repay over time. "Our doctors should be able to move from one point to another. I am sure as council, we have a facility that enables our doctors to get loans for them to be able to buy vehicles," Mafume said.

He commended the doctors and supporting staff for their commitment despite limited resources. "Our doctors and their supporting staff are doing a wonderful job. I have visited several clinics and seen that with the few resources they have, they are doing well."

The initiative comes as council faces mounting criticism for purchasing luxury vehicles for top executives at a time when service delivery across Harare—particularly in water, waste management, and health—remains under strain.