Harare Residents Dismiss City Officials’ Performance Contracts as ‘Ineffective’

Harare – Residents in Harare have rejected the recent signing of performance contracts by senior city officials, describing the move as a cosmetic exercise that fails to address persistent service delivery failures at Town House. The contracts were signed last week during a ceremony attended by councillors and top management, including acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo. City authorities say the initiative is meant to improve accountability and efficiency across departments. However, residents’ groups argue that the measure lacks substance and will not yield meaningful change without enforcement mechanisms.

The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has been among the most vocal critics. Its director, Precious Shumba, said most senior officials do not deserve renewed contracts given the city’s declining standards in service delivery.

“Only one department is performing the health department under Prosper Chonzi,” Shumba said, praising frontline health workers for operating under difficult conditions.

He accused other departments of incompetence and weak accountability, alleging that some officials operate with impunity.

Shumba singled out the city’s water department, responsible for water supply, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance, for what he described as unprofessional conduct and poor responsiveness. He also raised concerns about the housing and planning departments, claiming they are plagued by disorder and alleged links to land barons, contributing to unregulated urban expansion.

“There is chaos in these departments, yet officials continue to be rewarded,” he said.

The claims reflect long-standing frustrations among residents over issues such as erratic water supply, uncollected refuse, and poor road maintenance in the capital.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume dismissed the allegations, defending both the recruitment process and the current management team.

“Our recruitment policy is based on a rigorous process, including interviews, government oversight, security vetting, and qualification verification,” Mafume said.

He added that many senior officials were appointed before the current council took office, arguing that responsibility for systemic challenges cannot be attributed solely to the present administration.

“A city council alone cannot install senior management, and most of these officials have been in their roles for years,” he said.

Urban governance experts say performance contracts can improve efficiency but only if backed by measurable targets, transparency, and consequences for non-performance.

“Performance contracts are effective tools globally, but they require strict monitoring and enforcement,” said a Harare-based governance analyst. “Without accountability, they risk becoming symbolic.”

Despite the city’s assurances, residents remain sceptical, insisting that tangible improvements, not policy announcements, will determine success.

“We want clean water, working roads, and reliable refuse collection,” said one resident. “That’s what performance should look like.”

The debate highlights ongoing tensions between city authorities and residents, as Harare continues to grapple with infrastructure decay and service delivery challenges.

Harare performance contracts