Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume says Harare City Council (HCC) is moving towards operating on a 24-hour basis to improve service delivery and support business growth within the city.
HCC plans are in line with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion call for municipal authorities to be ‘on 24-hour call.’
The plans to operate 24 hours were said during the 2025 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Annual Business Review Conference, this Wednesday, which aimed at unlocking business potential through policy, partnerships, and productivity.
Mayor Mafume said the HC has since negotiated with its workforce and central government to implement a shift system that would allow round-the-clock municipal operations.
“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.
He added that the city has worked to harmonize relations with the central government to ensure seamless cooperation and remove past contradictions.
Apart from that, Mafume said HCC had also agreed to the establishment of a public-private partnership to improve waste collection.
On water supply, Mafume noted that currently there was construction of a new water treatment plant at Kunzvi, which will add 300 megaliters of water to the system within 10 months.
“We have also allocated land to ZINWA to build a purification plant at Donnybroke.
Turning to roads rehabilitation, Mafume said HCC had also engaged ZINARA to facilitate disbursement of road user fees for more road repairs and intended on improving electricity supply in the city.
“We are also currently negotiating with ZESA to improve on electricity efficiency and street lighting,” Mafume added.
Mayor Mafume also added that HCC was open to discussions aimed at reducing licensing fees and levies that hinder the business operating environment.
Speaking on obtaining currency stability, Mafume said this has helped HCC to plan effectively and consider reducing taxes and levies without jeopardizing 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 further said.
I think what makes more news is that a whole capital city did not have 24 hour operations. For those who didn’t know, council closes public toilets at 5pm. Madhodhi ese amunoona mutown aya is council’s doing. What mismanagement of a city is that? Go into the CBD at any hour and you will find people on the street. Where do those people relieve themselves? And the Mayor will be sleeping at his home while people shit on the street. Its time some real time shitters organize a shitting competition at the Mayor’s office door.