The Harare City Council's culture of financial imprudence has been a longstanding issue, with roots tracing back to the era of the late former Mayor Solom Tavengwa.
Tavengwa back then in 1998 broke the record of making citizens of Zimbabwe go about three weeks and a quarter without power.
The city’s workforce was not paid in October 1998 because no bank was prepared to grant its administration an overdraft. Meanwhile, workers continued languishing, while Tavengwa used the funds meant to keep the city council afloat to build himself a Z$50-million mansion.
The culture of financial imprudence has also led to the accumulation of debt, currently standing at over US$1 billion.
This has resulted in the council struggling to provide basic services, including water, sanitation and waste management.
The commission of inquiry set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to probe operations at the Harare City Council lately reportedly rattled Town House amid revelations that some top officials have been operating without contracts.
There were also some positions that seemed to have been created for certain individuals in a development that has seen council losing thousands of United States dollars.
The commission of inquiry was set to investigate financial management systems, audit compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and management of revenue generated through special vehicle companies and other outsourced arrangements.
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Mnangagwa recently appointed the commission of inquiry to investigate the City of Harare’s management and council in 2017. Moreover, recently the Zimbabwe Independent exclusively obtained a recording, which unveiled the shocking extent of the ongoing plunder of public funds by city officials.
A leaked audio recording had exposed a new wave of corruption within the City of Harare, with mayor Jacob Mafume revealing that officials attempted to disburse US$1,5 million to a company with no existing contract with the local authority.
This latest revelation came after the shocking exposure of how council executives siphoned a staggering US$200 million in 2019.
Council officials have long manipulated tenders to embezzle funds from various city resources.
Last month four Harare City Council officials were arraigned before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa facing a charge of criminal abuse of office involving US$9 244 328.
Never Murerwa (62), Jabulani Mukomazi (44), Denford Zhungu (69) and Tawanda Mutenhabundo (29) were remanded in custody to today for continuation of bail application.
Murerwa and Mukomazi are employed by the City of Harare in the procurement management unit as manager supply chain and principal buyer, respectively.
Zhungu and Mutenhabundo work at council as principal accountant and engineering technician, respectively.
During the material time, they were members of the tender evaluation committee for the refurbishment of streetlights on various roads within Harare.
Despite numerous attempts to reform the council's financial management systems, little progress has been made.
The council's budgeting process remains opaque, with allocations often being made without proper justification.
Tenders are frequently awarded to companies with questionable credentials, leading to substandard work and further financial losses.
Not only have the scandals been on cash lootings but also have been rocked by a vehicle scandal involving over half a million dollars, with beneficiaries reportedly avoiding driving the luxury vehicles to Town House in a bid to conceal the rot, NewsDay gathered las month impeccable sources said 10 officials in Grade Four benefited from the luxury Toyota Fortuner GD-6 utility vehicles at a cost of around US$70 000 for the lowest priced.
The vehicles were reportedly purchased from a local car dealer. The officials have been avoiding driving the vehicles to Town House as it raises eyebrows.
Ten years ago, council officials were involved in another vehicle purchase scandal after diverting part of the US$144,4 million loan from China for water and sewerage reticulation to buy 25 luxury cars, which include Land Rovers and Range Rovers.
Harare City Council has had a record of dealing with dubious characters and awarding them with tenders which at the end of the day do not get fulfilled.
For example businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu allegedly infiltrated Harare City Council and hijacked a tender to supply streetlights.
This was revealed at a special full council meeting held at Town House sometime in June.
In an interview with NewsDay Mafume said there was a need to blacklist some of the corrupt individuals and companies that had infiltrated the council.
“We have these goat persons [Chimombe and Mpofu], maybe they had paid someone. I am told they wanted to buy and supply streetlights for Harare City Council,” he said.
Mafume confirmed that the pair had hijacked the deal.
“Yes, they hijacked the deal to supply the streetlights for the city and it is so sad they elbowed others out, using what I do not know,” he said.
Mafume said some years ago, the pair had attempted to get a contract to build biogas digester for the local authority. Both Chimombe and Mpofu have been seen in Town House corridors on several occasions.
Despite numerous attempts to reform the council's financial management systems, little progress has been made.
The council's budgeting process remains opaque, with allocations often being made without proper justification.
Tenders are frequently awarded to companies with questionable credentials, leading to substandard work and further financial losses.
To break this cycle of financial imprudence, the Harare City Council needs to undergo a fundamental transformation. This requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The council must prioritize essential services, ensuring that residents receive the basic amenities they deserve.
Infrastructure development must be fast-tracked, with a focus on sustainable and durable projects.
*Gary Gerald Mtombeni is a journalist based in Harare. He writes here in his own personal capacity. For feedback Email [email protected]/ call- +263778861608
