HARARE – The City of Harare has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability, according to testimonies before the Maphios Cheda led commission of inquiry into the city’s governance issues since 2017.
Testifying before the commission this week, Hosiah Chisango, the incarcerated Harare City Council Town Clerk, admitted that the council has been operating without proper accounting systems and a consolidated asset register, making it vulnerable to misappropriation of funds and property.
“There is no proper accounting,” Chisango said in response to questions asked by the commission’s lead investigator Thabani Mpofu.
“There is no credible financial reporting system.”
Chisango’s testimony confirmed findings by the Auditor General that the council has failed to consolidate its books of accounts from subsidiaries, including Sunshine Holdings, City Parking, and Rufaro Marketing.
Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisango testifying before Commission of Inquiry into the Matters of Local Governance by Harare City Council since 2017. pic.twitter.com/thRdmIAYYn
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The commission also heard from Precious Shumba, director of the Harare Residents Trust, who criticised the council’s financial management, citing endless workshops and wastage of public funds.
Shumba described the council’s directors as incompetent and called for an investigation into the refurbishment of Rufaro Stadium.
“We don’t derive much value from those workshops. None of the council directors are competent,” Shumba said.
Edmore Nhekairo, Director of Housing and Community Services, further revealed that the city’s infrastructure, including Mbare flats, stadiums, and halls, is in disarray due to lack of maintenance and funds.
He also exposed the issue of “space barons” illegally collecting rentals at Matapi and other flats.
Illicit rental collections by “space barons” at Matapi and other flats have further exacerbated the issue, with the city council failing to collect rentals to maintain the dilapidated properties.
Nhekairo declined to identify the “space barons,” citing their alleged affiliation with a political party.
Despite refurbishing Rufaro Stadium, the installation of international-standard bucket seats remains pending due to financial constraints.
Nhekairo also noted that Gwanzura, Dzivarasekwa, and Glamis Stadia require refurbishment, resulting in Zimbabwe’s national soccer team playing matches in other African countries due to the lack of FIFA-compliant stadiums.
Additionally, Nhekairo, who oversees housing, education, social services, stadiums, parks, cemeteries, and small and medium enterprises, revealed that the council’s 27 halls are in disrepair and need renovation.
The testimonies come at a time when the city is in crisis, with residents suffering from lack of clean water, potholed roads, sewer bursts, and uncollected refuse.
Corruption has also worsened the situation.
Chisango for example is being detained in prison in connection with the US$9,2 million street lights tender illegally awarded to Zanu-PF controversial businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu’s company Juluka Enndo Joint Venture.
