The Harare City Council’s recent decision to snub a US$350,000 locally-developed enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in favor of a hefty US$2.1 million foreign alternative has raised eyebrows and sparked outrage among residents. This choice not only underscores a troubling trend of overlooking local innovation, but it also exposes the council’s apparent desire to cling to outdated manual systems, which have opened the door to inefficiencies and potential corruption.
Residents are rightfully questioning the motives behind this decision. The current billing system is a mess, riddled with issues like double billing, lost housing lists, and a lack of transparency that has allowed for the plundering of city resources. The council’s previous high-end ERP system was ditched back in March 2019, leaving them to flounder without a functional, accountable system for five years. With the Harare Institute of Technology’s Local Authorities Digital Systems (LADS) already making waves in 20 other councils, including Mutare Municipality—recognized for its exemplary service delivery—one has to wonder why Harare City Council opted for a foreign solution that promises little more than a continuation of the status quo.
Mr. Precious Shumba, director of the Harare Residents Trust, encapsulates the frustration of many when he states, “Residents, businesses and Government departments, ministries and agencies are being billed based on estimates which distorts the financial position of the City of Harare.” This not only misrepresents the city’s financial health but also places an undue burden on residents who are already grappling with inadequate services. The situation is compounded by reports that Harare City Council has not received remittances from its Rufaro Marketing business unit since 2022, costing the city an estimated US$2 million.
The allegations of corruption and mismanagement are further echoed by Combined Harare Residents Association director Mr. Rueben Akili, who suggests that the non-functional ERP system may serve as a cover for looting council resources. The absence of a reliable system could easily lead to cashiers manipulating records to benefit from currency discrepancies, essentially gaming the system to enrich themselves at the expense of residents.
Mayor Jacob Mafume has defended the council’s actions, claiming that the local solution did not go through the proper tendering process. However, critics argue that the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act provides exemptions for local research institutions, raising questions about whether the council is genuinely committed to fostering local innovation or merely following bureaucratic red tape.
Eng. Tererai Maposa, head of LADS Africa, points out that local authorities like Mutare and Masvingo have already adopted innovative solutions without the burdensome tendering process. He laments the slow uptake of local systems, stating that the council’s reluctance to embrace these advancements hinders progress. “It’s very sad that in Harare, people are still queuing to check their rates balance,” he observes, contrasting it with the more efficient systems in place in other cities.
As residents bear the brunt of a dysfunctional billing system, the implications of this decision are far-reaching. The reliance on foreign solutions not only stifles local innovation but also perpetuates a cycle of inefficiency and potential corruption that residents cannot afford to overlook. The hope remains that the government will step in to guide the City of Harare towards a more transparent and accountable future, but for now, the community is left grappling with uncertainty and frustration.