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vices that have negatively affected service delivery.
Briefing Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo on developments in Harare yesterday, the city’s special interest councillors took turns to blast Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda, town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi and directors.
“We lack resolute and determined leadership.
“The mayor and town clerk have no capacity to push directors on the ground. The mayor and town clerk speak lofty plans but there is no action on the ground,” Clr Thembinkosi Magwaliba said.
The Harare lawyer said the “two eloquent speakers” have let the city down by projecting an image of the city that is divorced from the reality.
He said there was clear and palpable corruption of councillors especially when it comes to awarding tenders and approval of deals.
Clr Magwaliba said there was concerted effort to push donor-funded projects to the detriment of the internally funded programmes.
He accused “individuals” within council trying to impress donors by accounting for the funds.
Most housing co-operatives in Harare, he said, were fronted by councilors. Clr Lisbon Marufu said most of the co-operatives that were being given land were illegally connecting municipal water causing shortages to residents who pay for the service.
There was also a complaint that only co-operatives aligned to the MDC-T were getting land.
The co-operatives aligned to the MDC-T and companies that have official representation in council were also getting land at very cheap prices. Clr Magwaliba said the present council was being populist in parceling out land.
“We are parceling land like we are the last residents of Harare,” he said.
Minister Chombo agreed with the sentiments expressed by Clr Magwaliba. Clr Sasha Jogi said council was divided accusing senior officials of stripping the city of its assets.
“The camps are quietly and expeditiously getting rid of city assets. Nobody is in control of the functionaries. There is no pro-active leadership at Town House,” he said.
He asked Minister Chombo to institute an investigation into the city operations.
Clr Angus Martens said the city was trying to destroy the Harare Municipal workers Union to put into office a subservient union that turns a blind eye to wrongs committed.
Clr Moosa Allana complained that council surrendered the title deeds of Trafalgar Court to a local bank for over a US$5 million overdraft yet the property was worth far more than that. Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda once accused special interest councillors as non-performers.
Minister Chombo promised to convene a meeting with council tomorrow (Friday) to discuss some of the issues raised.
He said he would get the elected councillors to enumerate on issues affecting service delivery despite the city having grand service delivery plans.
Mr Masunda and committee chairpersons are expected to attend the meeting.
Online Reporter