Live Coverage: Commission exposes more rot at Harare City Council

14.37 – The City of Harare has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability, according to testimonies made over the last few months before the Commission of Inquiry into the city’s governance. President Mnangagwa swore in the five-member Commission in May 2024. The Justice Maphios Cheda-led Commission also includes local governance experts Steven Chakaipa, Norbert Phiri, Lucia Gladys Matibenga and Khonzani Ncube. The Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works, Dr John Bhasera, is its secretary. Several top officials, including the council’s Mayor Jacob Mafume; assistant executive to the town clerk, Matthew Marara; acting finance director Godfrey Kusangaya and acting human capital director, Bosman Matengarufu, among others, have appeared before the Commission. With each appearance of a top official, skeletons have been tumbling out of closets. One thing is certain, the Commission means business and they will stop at nothing in exposing the rot at the local authority. As we cover this intriguing story that looks at how public funds are being abused brazenly, the ride is definitely going to have so many astounding twists and turns. Just put on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride! 14.37 – Harare Mayor’s ‘house’ turns out to be vehicle auction site Drama unfolded in Greendale, Harare today (February 5), as the Commission temporarily adjourned Mayor Mafume’s testimony to conduct an onsite inspection at a property he had claimed to be his house. The Commission’s findings revealed that the property, located on Coronation Road at number 1110 in Greendale, is not a residential area as claimed, but a vehicle auction site. When Mayor Mafume attempted to explain the discrepancy, Judge Cheda instructed him to provide his explanation at a later time. The Commission insisted on an inspection in loco after discovering that Mayor Mafume had lied under oath. Mayor Mafume claimed it was a mistake, saying his house was just two blocks away from the initial address. However, the Commission refused to accept this and proceeded with the inspection. 14.45 – Eyebrows raised as Harare City buys US$1m Ruwa house The Harare City Medical Aid Society has come under fire for purchasing a 12-roomed house in Ruwa for a staggering US$1 million. This transaction is drawing scrutiny amid ongoing investigations by the Harare Commission of Inquiry, which aims to expose pervasive corruption within the city council. The inquiry has revealed a pattern of mismanagement and financial irregularities in the local authority, where public funds are often misappropriated for personal gains. Recent reports indicated that the Medical Aid Society acquired properties without obtaining title deeds, which has led to complications in tracing these assets. This alarming situation came to light yesterday (February 4) during an inquiry session where Mayor Mafume addressed allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the council. The Mayor’s involvement in the Medical Aid Society’s dealings has raised eyebrows, especially since he is largely seen as a ceremonial figure in the council. But when questioned about his presence at the Medical Aid Society meetings, Mayor Mafume said his oversight is essential given the magnitude of the alleged theft. “I attended that Medical Aid Society meeting because US$1 million had been stolen. How can it be ordinary?” he said. The house, which was reportedly owned by Dr Munyaradzi Kereke, is intended to be converted into a clinic. However, the Mayor criticised the decision to spend such an exorbitant sum while city employees struggle to access medical treatment due to financial mismanagement, revealing a disconnect between the council’s financial priorities and the welfare of its workers. Mayor Mafume said he is often called to address issues regarding delayed salaries. “Money is being paid twice,” he said, indicating a troubling pattern of financial irregularities that raise concerns about the accountability of council officials. 14.54 – Council has no control over its firms: Mayor Harare City Council risks losing its companies amid indications that the subsidiaries, including Harare Quarry and Rufaro Marketing, are registered in the names of individuals, some of whom have since left the local authority. Further, council also offered free land to individuals through verbal agreements. City Parking, which is wholly-owned by the local authority, had its papers changed sometime last year as it was in the names of previous directors during the era of former Harare Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi. The rot, especially at Rufaro Marketing, resulted in council spending 13 years without collecting a cent from its 130 beerhalls. A report of the special committee on Rufaro Marketing, mandated to run the beerhalls, showed that current and former council employees were subletting the beerhalls in foreign currency, yet paying a paltry fee to council, if at all. Speaking during a special council meeting last year, Mayor Jacob Mafume conceded that the city has no control over its assets. “Cannibalism had set-in in council. Share certificates were put in names of certain individuals who were then fired or left council for one reason or the other and it was taking time to find signatories. “We have ordered that those papers be regularised. “City Parking papers have since been regularised and we are looking at the Quarry papers for their regularisation,” he said. Mayor Mafume said as for Rufaro Marketing, a former chief executive had basically run away with the organisation. “We have now put in a new board and we are asking that the situation be rectified.” 09:02-Mayor feels the heat Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume is back in the hot seat today (February 6), testifying before the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of Harare City Council. The Commission, led by retired Judge, Justice Maphios Cheda, is investigating the council’s operations and business units from 2017 to date, following allegations of widespread irregularities. Mayor Mafume has been asked to read the Commissions of Inquiry Act after he denied that he lied under oath yesterday when he gave a false address of his residence. He claims that it was just a mistake. According to the Commissions of Inquiry Act, any witness who provides false evidence shall be guilty of an offence. 09:12-Mafume admits to lying under oath Mayor Mafume has come clean about lying under oath, although he tried to downplay it as an honest mistake. He claimed that he recently moved to a new apartment and said his house is Number 102 Coronation, Greendale, which is just two blocks from the address he initially provided, which is Number 110 Coronation. The Mayor also blamed his forgetfulness on a Government trip he took shortly after moving in, saying he was not even in the country to get familiar with the new place. However, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs’ Chief Director, Mr Tapiwa Godzi who is one of the leading evidence witnesses, has alleged that Mayor Mafume’s false address was a deliberate move to conceal his Greendale house, which he purportedly acquired using proceeds of crime. 11.28 -Harare ignores Mayoral Mansion, acquires house for Mafume Justice Cheda has said the vehicle, house, and other perks that Mayor Mafume is receiving as benefits are in contravention of a Government’s directive. This came up as Mayor Mafume was being questioned on why the council acquired a house for him at Number 9 Drummond Chaplin Road in Milton Park. This goes against the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works’ policy that councillors are only entitled to stands, not houses. However, the Mayor argued that the circular only refers to stands that councillors can buy at a discounted price. He said this does not prevent the council from finding comfortable residence for councillors. He says the circular does not explicitly prohibit the council from acquiring a house for him. When asked by Commissioner Tafadzwa Charles Hungwe why the council decided to acquire a stand for him despite the fact that there is a Mayoral mansion, Mafume said it was justified at the time as the property was being used as an office. However, Mr Hungwe argued that the Mayor is no longer entitled to a house as his role is now ceremonial, following the Government’s cancellation of all perks. He further argued that the Mayor should not be receiving benefits that come with an executive office. 11.52 – US$4.5 was stolen at Harare Quarry: Mafume Harare Mayor Mafume has said a whopping US$4.5 million was embezzled from Harare Quarry, a subsidiary of the Harare City Council. However, Mafume claims that he never bothered to make a police report or to investigate where the money went, despite being in office since 2018. When questioned about his lack of action, he said he only changed the management of the business unit to prevent further financial losses. Meanwhile, the Commission has adjourned to 11:30 am today. 12:07-l am sorry, says Mafume Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, has admitted that he is receiving allowances that he is not entitled to. Appearing before the Commission of Inquiry into Harare City Council’s affairs, Councillor Mafume conceded that his actions had negatively impacted service delivery for ratepayers. The admission came after the Justice Maphios Cheda chaired inquiry revealed that Mafume is getting benefits that are outside his official entitlements. “In the context that our interpretation of the Act led to harm and prejudice for ratepayers, I am sorry,” said Mafume. He further stated his readiness to correct the misinterpretation of the Government circular outlining his official entitlements. 12:17-City housing director grilled over cluster houses The Commission of Inquiry into the City of Harare’s operations is turning up the heat on the local authority’s housing director, Mr Addmore Nhekairo, as he faces intense questioning over the proliferation of cluster houses in Harare. Mr Nhekairo is appearing before the Commission today to explain the city council’s role in approving the construction of cluster houses. The settlements have been criticized for being poorly planned and inadequately serviced. The Commission is demanding to know who is responsible for the mess and why the city council failed to ensure that the cluster houses are properly planned and serviced.