HARARE City Council has degenerated into a crime scene, characterised by industrial scale corruption fuelled by the capital’s executives and corrupt syndicates.
Anyone doubting this candid claim should watch proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to probe the local authority’s financial affairs.
The retired Justice Maphios Cheda-led commission, appointed in May last year, has produced a shocking script depicting the tragic and chronic crisis gripping the capital, once dubbed the Sunshine City.
Harare is wallowing in a mess. Its former glow has turned to dross.
City officials appearing before the commission have chronicled lack of a robust Enterprise Resource Planning system, which has been exploited by decision makers at Town House to enrich themselves through blatant violations of the council’s financial procedures.
Colluding with corrupt corporate syndicates with strong political ties, these officials have turned Harare into a feeding trough at the expense its 1,3 million residents.
Council revenues and assets cannot be accounted for, while city bosses illegally amass prime residential stands in plush suburbs as Harare’s housing backlog continues to swell.
A putrid stench lingers across streets in Harare’s central business district. Mounds of uncollected garbage pile up in high density suburbs, which endure prolonged water rationing.
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On rare occasions when water flows from taps, it is dirty and unfit for consumption — creating a fertile breeding ground for waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
As part of the commission’s proceedings, Harare mayor Jacob Mafume was fined in February for lying under oath regarding an inspection in loco conducted to establish his place of residence.
Mafume, who has endorsed several controversial council deals with private firms opposed by residents, falsely claimed to the commission that a vehicle auction site at 110 Coronation Road, Greendale, was his residence.
When the lie was exposed, Mafume clarified that his home was merely two blocks away from the auction site.
For these reasons, residents will take Mafume’s bold assertion — reported in this week's edition — that he will act decisively to cut the hefty salaries of city executives, with a pinch of salt.
Residents have every reason to believe Mafume, like other top officials, has become part of the problem plaguing the capital.
Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba told the Zimbabwe Independent: “The mayor is lying about the salaries … he has become the major stumbling block to the proper governance and administration of the City of Harare.”
Mafume must now walk the talk.
