28 AUGUST 2020

We the Residents Associations and CSOs undersigned to this statement condemn the rampant recall of elected councillors.

We are further worried that these recalls are part of the battle of political control and internal contradictions within the MDC divorced from plans to further development, improve welfare of citizens and service delivery.

We are gravely concerned that the recalls have become a tool and strategy employed to decimate and overthrow political opponents within the factional fights, which further entrenches political polarization and independence of thought. The recalls are a clear display of insatiable hunger for power at the expense of citizens’ will and interests.

It is sad that the MDC has opted the route of sacrificing the residents and service provision at the altar of political expediency by removing elected local leadership. It has completely ignored the plight of residents in its thirst for power and using law fare to whip councillors out of accountability to the citizenry.

The rampant recall of elected councillors is a direct attack on representative democracy and seeks to throw away residents to the periphery of local governance which has serious implications on both service delivery and answerability of officials to the electorate.

Political parties must not act supreme over the voter, residents are the number one stakeholder in every political process and should be treated with respect.

This move which is a threat to local democracy feed into the machinations and grand plan to pave way for the appointment of Commissions to run the affairs of most urban local authorities in Zimbabwe.

The history of Commissions in Zimbabwe is littered with gross abuse of office and human rights violations,OperationMurambasvina is a typical example.

As Residents Associations and CSOs our position is clear that local authorities cannot be run by Commissions BUT they can ONLY be managed by councils composed of councillors elected by registered voters in the urban areas concerned and presided over by elected Mayors or Chairpersons.

Urban local authorities represent and manage the affairs of the people through elected leadership and removal of such representatives is a catalyst for appointment of unaccountable individuals presiding over collapse of service delivery.

We call upon the MDC to rethink the course of action they have taken and consider the plight of the residents’ first before politics of control by doing the following;

• Cease to recall councillors and conduct broader consultations with residents of Wards of the Councillors concerned and make rationalised decisions.
• Refocus their energy and factional fights towards competition to increase quality potable water for residents, regular refuse collection, transparency in administration of public funds, gendered approach to service delivery, improved health care and provide alternative policy proposal in the fight against COVID 19.

In brief we demand issues driven politics and an address of socio-economic rights and plight of citizens as opposed to factional agendas. The failure to address the residents’ concerns will force us to ratchet a national campaign to vote for independent candidates in the next campaign.

We also warn the MDC leadership that they will be liable to the repercussions caused by the recalls in terms of service delivery and caution that this has serious political implications hence they need to be sober when approaching this matter. While dams are drying up demanding a call for action, they are busy writing letters of recall with no benefit to an ordinary man and woman in the street.

ENDS

Combined Harare Residents Association

Guruve Residents and Ratepayers Association

Ruwa Residents Association

Marondera Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Association

Mvurwi Residents Association

Kadoma Progressive Residents Association

Masvingo Residents and Ratepayers Association

Simukai Residents Trust

Chitungwiza  and Manyame Residents and Rate payers Association.