Online Reporter
Zimpapers Correspondent
THE Harare City Council has reappointed Advocate Warren Chiwawa as the chairperson of the Rufaro Marketing Board and appointed Mr Ngoni Chimbalu as its new chief executive officer, an elevation from his previous position of finance director.
The move is widely viewed as a major reset for the City of Harare-owned entity as it seeks to restore financial discipline, strengthen service delivery and reposition itself.
Mr Chimbalu’s elevation comes at a time when the entity is rebuilding confidence following years marked by operational challenges and governance concerns.
Advocate Chiwawa is credited with playing a central role in stabilising the organisation alongside Mr Chimbalu, where efforts were made to tighten financial accountability and improve corporate governance systems.
Mr Chimbalu is widely credited with spearheading a culture shift at Rufaro Marketing by driving financial accountability within an organisation previously dogged by allegations of mismanagement and legal disputes involving tenants.
Under his stewardship in the finance department, Rufaro Marketing reportedly strengthened its financial systems, improved operational efficiency and enhanced revenue remittances to the City of Harare. Observers say the latest appointments could prove pivotal in turning around the fortunes of the entity.
The improved financial stability under the Chiwawa-led board has also enabled the organisation to expand its corporate social responsibility programmes, including continued renovation and maintenance works at Rufaro Stadium, helping restore top-flight football at the iconic venue.
Mr Chimbalu signed the City of Harare performance contract as CEO at Town House last week.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Chimbalu said accountability and transparency would remain non-negotiable in efforts to restore Rufaro Marketing to its former standing while improving amenities that directly benefit residents.
“We will not stop giving the community what is important in terms of social amenities. We have also been working on bringing football back to Rufaro Stadium through ongoing renovations of the stadium,” he said.
The performance contracts form part of Government’s broader agenda to tighten accountability and improve service delivery across ministries, local authorities and parastatals.
Chimbalu said Rufaro Marketing has already embarked on significant reforms aimed at revitalising operations and strengthening the timeliness and consistency of remittances to the municipality.
It is believed that the return of Advocate Chiwawa and the elevation of Chimbalu to the top executive post could signal a major turning point for Rufaro Marketing, long regarded as one of Harare City Council’s key revenue-generating entities with significant untapped potential.
Council-owned entities such as Rufaro Marketing and City Parking remain crucial in generating revenue for council operations and supporting service delivery across the capital.
