Harare mayor back at work
By Helen Kadirire
Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni, who was released from police custody last week, yesterday returned to work.
On June 29 after winning his application to be reinstated to his mayoral post following a second suspension from government on corruption charges, Manyenyeni was picked up by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
The mayor was arrested for alleged criminal abuse of duty and corruptly concealing personal interests in some council transactions.
Harare provincial magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe released Manyenyeni on the irregularity that he was over detained.
Yesterday Manyenyeni told the Daily News that he would continue carrying out his duties as councillor of Mount Pleasant and Harare mayor.
“Nothing yet has happened since I came to work. I am waiting for anything that they can spring up on me,” he said.
His first suspension in April was for “unprocedurally” appointing former NMBZ chief executive officer James Mushore as town clerk.
Local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere said he rescinded the decision to appoint Mushore because the Local Government Board had not approved the move.
In his second suspension, Manyenyeni is accused of instructing officials in his office not to allow an audit of Harare Sunshine Holdings and its subsidiaries and preventing the appointed auditors from carrying out their work.
The ministry argued that Manyenyeni’s conduct constituted gross dereliction of duty bordering on incompetence and corruption to the detriment of the residents of the City of Harare.
“In the circumstances, and in light of the gravity of the matter, I am compelled to suspend you with immediate effect from the office of mayor of the City of Harare and councillor for ward 17 in terms of section 114 (1) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter29:15) as read with section 278(2)(b) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” read the letter. Daily News
