Harare City Council targets 24-hour operations

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has announced that the Harare City Council (HCC) is moving toward 24-hour operations to improve service delivery and support business growth in the capital.

Speaking at the 2025 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Review Conference on Wednesday, Mafume said the initiative aims to unlock business potential through extended city services and stronger partnerships.

"We have entered into a bargaining agreement to put all city council operations on a 24-hour shift, and we are now awaiting the modalities from the central government," he said, noting that harmonised relations with government would ensure smooth implementation and avoid past contradictions.

In addition to extended operating hours, the HCC plans to establish a public-private partnership to enhance waste collection. On water supply, Mafume highlighted the ongoing construction of a new water treatment plant at Kunzvi, expected to add 300 megalitres to the system within 10 months, while land has been allocated to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) for a purification plant at Donnybrook.

Regarding infrastructure, the council has engaged the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) to facilitate the disbursement of road-user fees for repairs and is negotiating with Zesa Holdings to improve electricity efficiency and street lighting.

The mayor also expressed the council's willingness to review licensing fees and levies that may hinder business operations. He credited recent currency stability for enabling better planning and creating scope to potentially reduce taxes and levies without compromising financial sustainability.

"These measures are part of our broader strategy to create an enabling environment for infrastructure development and business growth in and around Harare," Mafume said.