Online Reporter
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
CITY of Harare Ward 18 Councillor Rufaro Matsika has emerged as a transformational figure in Harare’s local government, spearheading reforms that mirror President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
The reforms are fundamentally reshaping the city’s approach to business development and public service delivery.
Her re-election as the city’s Business Committee chairperson for 2026 is a testament to the confidence placed in her by colleagues and stakeholders who have witnessed tangible improvements under her stewardship.
Breaking the cycle of stagnation in line with the national vision
Since assuming the chairpersonship in 2025, Councillor Matsika has tackled what she describes as a “wrong culture” that had long plagued Harare City Council, echoing President Mnangagwa’s call for transparency and accountability in governance.
“We managed to overcome a lot of hurdles and stagnation, which resulted from the wrong culture at council, which includes a lack of follow-throughs, too much unnecessary red tape, and the lack of measurable progress and focus.”
Recognised as one of Harare’s top-performing councillors in 2025, Matsika’s active engagement and oversight reflect the participatory governance approach championed under Vision 2030.
“I would like to thank His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership and the Vision 2030 framework, which has provided us with a clear roadmap for development.”
“The President’s emphasis on devolution, public-private partnerships, and inclusive economic growth has enabled us at the local level to implement meaningful reforms that directly benefit our communities.
“His commitment to good governance and accountability has inspired our forensic audit initiatives and our drive for transparency in council operations.”
Flagship public-private partnerships advancing national infrastructure goals
Central to Matsika’s agenda has been the acceleration of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), a model strongly endorsed by President Mnangagwa’s administration for delivering public services and infrastructure.
Two flagship projects exemplify this approach: the Geo Pomona waste management deal and the smart water metering initiative.
“We have proudly achieved so much in a short space of time, which includes acceleration of PPPs in council as a new adopted form of governance,” Matsika explained.
“The smart water metering initiative, in partnership with Hangzhou Laision Technology and Helcraw Electrical, includes the installation of smart prepaid water meters, a digital billing system, and the rehabilitation of the Morton Jaffray water treatment plant.
“This upgrade is expected to boost water production from 350 to 520 megalitres daily, ensuring residents pay only for the water they consume.”
Forensic audits and financial accountability supporting good governance
Her approach to cleaning up council finances through comprehensive forensic audits directly supports President Mnangagwa’s commitment to good governance and efficient service delivery. Her committee identified and addressed “inherited legacy non-performing entities and partnerships that continued to milk ratepayers’ money.”
The audit process revealed significant mismanagement, including US$4,5 million in direct losses at Harare Quarry and unauthorised payments to suspected ghost workers.
“We carried out forensic audits on most, if not all, council partnerships, including the council’s non-performing and performing subsidiaries, to disband the ones costing the council and are always being flagged by the auditor general,” Matsika explained.
This led to the disbandment of non-performing entities such as Harare Mabvazuva Village, Harare Quarry, Sunshine Meats, Sunshine Development, and Sunshine Bazaar, while productive entities like City Park and Rufaro Marketing were restructured and sustained.
Community development and environmental leadership through devolution
Beyond financial reforms, Councillor Matsika has championed tangible community development projects in Ward 18, demonstrating the practical implementation of President Mnangagwa’s devolution agenda.
Working with the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA), she has facilitated the handover of key community infrastructure, including a refurbished clinic, a new bus terminal, and a pioneering recycling centre.
Her environmental advocacy, particularly against wetland invasions, supports Vision 2030’s environmental sustainability pillar, which prioritises responsible waste management and urban rehabilitation.
Vision for inclusive growth aligned with national prosperity goals
Looking forward, Matsika’s vision extends beyond efficiency improvements to broader economic transformation, mirroring President Mnangagwa’s focus on inclusive and equitable growth.
“As a committee, our primary objective will be to create a conducive environment that fosters economic growth, innovation, and profitable synergies,” she stated in her re-election address.
“I pledge to work tirelessly to promote the interests of the City and residents. I will work closely with each of you to identify opportunities, address challenges, and develop strategies that benefit our businesses and the community at large.”
Her approach emphasises collaboration and measurable outcomes, reflecting the President’s assertion that his administration is “scaling up the implementation and promotion of sustainable economic growth, employment, and wealth creation towards accelerating national development, modernisation and industrialisation. Together, we can ensure that our committee is inclusive and results-driven,” Matsika affirmed.
Recognition and prospects within the national development context
The transformation under Matsika’s leadership has not gone unnoticed. Residents and environmental advocates have acknowledged her projects as steps towards sustainable urban management, while business leaders recognise her role in creating a more conducive operating environment—objectives that align with Vision 2030’s industrialisation and value addition priorities.
Her rigorous evaluation, forensic auditing, and evidence-based decision-making set new standards for municipal governance in Zimbabwe, reflecting President Mnangagwa’s emphasis on pragmatic, results-driven leadership.
By disbanding loss-making entities and nurturing productive partnerships, she has demonstrated that local government can be both accountable and effective while contributing to national prosperity.
“Focus was on evaluating, reviewing, restructuring or winding down,” she summarised her approach—a methodology that has yielded tangible results for Harare’s residents and positioned the city for sustainable growth in support of President Mnangagwa’s vision.
With her re-election secured and flagship projects showing positive results, Councillor Rufaro Matsika stands as a testament to how effective local leadership can advance national development goals.
Her commitment to fostering “economic growth, innovation, and profitable synergies” continues to drive Harare’s development agenda, offering residents renewed confidence in both their municipal leadership and Zimbabwe’s development trajectory.
