HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in a commission of inquiry to investigate the City of Harare’s operations since 2017.
This move comes amidst concerns over the council’s financial practices and adherence to regulations.
Retired judge Justice Maphios Cheda will chair the commission, with Steven Chakaipa, Norbert Phiri, Lucia Gladys Matibenga, and Khonzani Ncube joining him as members. The Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works will serve as the Commission’s Secretary.
The Commission has a mandate to delve into various aspects of the City Council’s operations. Key areas of investigation include:
The Council’s accounting systems and adherence to financial management regulations.
Management of revenue generated through special purpose companies and outsourced arrangements.
Reasons behind the city’s failure to implement a proper enterprise resource planning system and any resulting losses.
Procedures for managing, selling, leasing, or otherwise transferring city council properties to private entities.
Conduct of council meetings and adherence to established protocols.
Compliance with procurement laws, particularly regarding asset disposal.
The Commission is empowered to gather information through visits, summoning witnesses, recording proceedings, and analyzing documents. This comprehensive investigation aims to identify issues and propose solutions to improve the city’s governance.
The move follows reports of the City Council’s shortcomings in submitting accounts to the Auditor-General on time and concerns about inconsistencies in those submitted reports.
Additionally, the council’s decision to abandon a robust accounting system in favour of a less sophisticated one has raised questions about transparency.
Another area of scrutiny will be the city’s use of special companies, like City Parking, which allegedly generates profit but operates with limited public accountability.
The commission has six months to finalize its investigation, with a possibility of a three-month extension. Upon completion, a report with findings and recommendations will be submitted to President Mnangagwa.
The inquiry is expected to shed light on the City Council’s operations and pave the way for potential reforms to ensure better management and financial transparency for Harare.
Recently the Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume was quoted saying; “We have nothing to hide, we are a public entity, we are a council of record and we are appointed by voters to enter public office, and this is exactly what public office means, it means that you can be enquired into your works by commissions, you can be enquired by parliamentary committees.”
“The commission speaks for itself in terms of the mandate, it was done in terms of the commissions of the inquiry act chapter 10 of 07 where if the president may so consider and give advisable and issue a proclamation to inquire into any matter which in the opinion of the president is in the interest of public welfare.”
– “So the president did so deem that the inquiry to the matters of Harare will be in the interest of public welfare.”
– “But we encourage that we be candid in our communications and open in our communications because there are consequences that come with not cooperating with commissions of this nature and some of the consequences can end up being criminal or labour-related.”
– “So we noted and we urge that our secretariat, the town clerk, the chamber secretary be in the process of preparing the relevant documentation should the official communication come to us.”
– “So it is up to us to prepare. I am sure in due course the chairperson of the commission and the commissioners and the secretariat which happens to be the permanent secretary of local Government will then do the communications once they have done the preparatory work.”
