adminMunicipal Correspondent
With its mayor, half the councillors in one committee, two departmental directors and several senior employees out on bail and forbidden to enter municipal premises, Harare City Council has made many acting appointments to function.
Deputy mayor Enock Mupamawonde is now acting mayor after Herbert Gomba was barred from visiting council offices by the High Court as part of his bail conditions.
Director of human capital development Mr Matthew Marara and director of housing Mr Addmore Nhekairo are now being deputised by Bozman Matengarufu and Fani Machipisa respectively in an acting capacity.
City spokesperson Michael Chideme yesterday said council was not going to appoint anyone to act for town planner Samuel Nyabezi.
Clr Mupamawonde said the appointments were done to facilitate the smooth flow of business.
On the fate of the Education, Housing and Community Services and Licensing Committee following the arrest of four of its members, the acting mayor said council will be guided by the outcome of their court case.
The four members are the chairperson Clr Hammy Madzingira (Ward 10), Clr Costa Mande (Ward 14), Clr Lovemore Makuwerere of Ward 24, and Clr Anthony Shingadeya (Ward 11).
“However, the remaining councillors in the committee constitute a quorum and business will continue as usual in the event that the four councillors are barred from conducting council business,” he said.
Clr Mupamawonde said council was moving to ensure safety in view of the rise in Covid-19 cases.
“Scheduled council, committee and management meetings will now be held virtually across the board.”
Clr Mupamawonde said the investigations that unearthed irregularities in the management of land were instituted internally and he reassured that they will continue.
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