Eng Zvobgo's suspension dead right

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere has proved very practical in pursuit of the restoration of sanity in Harare and other urban areas. Cde Kasukuwere's recent directive for the suspension of engineer Christopher Zvobgo, reaffirms government's concern over citizen's welfare.

It still remains a myth to us that Harare city water supplies can be connected to illegal settlements without a green light or knowledge of the council. Indeed Engineer Zvobgo must be in the know of what was happening, otherwise he saves no purpose in the council. The council shares equal blame for the sprouting of the illegal settlements which they wittingly or unwittingly sanitize by connecting their water supplies. Residents fall prey to the bogus land barons who use the connection of water by the council as proof that their cooperatives are genuine. The provision of council services and utilities such as water, by itself is a certifying stamp to the land barons which they use as a bait to lure unsuspecting home-seekers.

We understand that the council at times succumbs to political pressures from certain politicians who are also responsible for these illegal settlements. This, however, should not be an excuse for the council to abandon professionalism for someone's political expediency. Unfortunately, the casualty is always the unsuspecting ordinary citizen whose life time investment ends up in the drain. While demolitions of the illegal structures is commendable, the authorities must also come down harder on the bogus land barons and the council officials who are involved in the illegal connection of water supplies. Cde Kasukuwere's directive is the beginning.

While this writer was verifying the authenticity of a certain cooperative, which I think every home seeker must always do before parting with his or her money, I was told why the council works with cooperatives on undesignated land. I had asked why the council collects money from these cooperatives when they know very well that they are illegal. I was told that the council had realized that these cooperatives illegally stay for a very long time on council land while paying nothing to the council. According to the council official, the council at times provides services such as refuse collection just to curb disease outbreaks.

From this conversation, I was left with the impression that the council's connection of water to these cooperatives and the provision of other services is motivated by nothing more than money. Sanity can never be restored when we have council officials who work at cross purpose with the central authority that is trying to restore same. Indeed, there must be some shake-up at the Town House if we really want to reinstate sanity in Harare and other urban areas.