Harare gets flak over maintenance neglect

The government has directed the City of Harare to urgently implement a comprehensive greenery maintenance programme following reports that trees planted ahead of last year's Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit have wilted.

Harare underwent major beautification and infrastructure projects in preparation for hosting the SADC summit last year, during which Zimbabwe assumed the chairmanship of the regional bloc. The facelift included road rehabilitation, landscaping, and the planting of trees and flowers to enhance the capital's image.

In a strongly worded letter dated September 26, 2025, Local Government and Public Works permanent secretary John Basera expressed dismay over the city's neglect of its environment despite "remarkable government investment in the well-being and aesthetic quality of the city."

Basera instructed acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo to implement a detailed maintenance plan involving regular watering, pruning, and replanting of trees, adding that "dead or dying trees must be replaced promptly to maintain the city's green cover."

He further ordered the council to allocate dedicated teams and resources for routine roadside cleaning, weed removal, and litter management. "This should be done regularly, not as a one-time effort," he said, calling for a reporting system to track progress and allow residents to raise concerns.

Basera warned that Harare's leadership must treat its roles as responsibilities rather than privileges. "The ministry and citizens at large are eager to see visible improvements," he said.

He described the city's current state as "disgraceful and disheartening," citing overgrown weeds, debris-strewn roads, and dying trees that have turned once-vibrant green spaces into "lifeless, unsightly patches."

"The lack of attention to these critical aspects of urban management has tarnished the city's image and jeopardised the safety, health, and well-being of residents," Basera said. He added that the neglect of trees reduces air quality, increases urban heat, and undermines efforts to combat climate change.

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume also raised concern over the dying palm trees planted before the SADC summit, urging city officials to "act and restore order."

Harare Residents Trust executive director Precious Shumba criticised the city for failing to care for infrastructure that enhances its investment appeal. He suggested that the neglect may be deliberate since the trees were planted by central government without council involvement, but said all levels of government must collaborate regardless of who initiated a project.

"The unfortunate thing is that the national government has adopted a bossy attitude," Shumba said. "The City of Harare has jurisdiction over roadside maintenance and tree care under its control."