Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Politica Editor
HARARE City Council executives have been exposed for being incompetent, corrupt, and obsessed with hefty perks at the expense of ratepayers, who are contending with uncollected garbage while some residents have gone for more than a decade without running water.
The setting up of the Justice Maphios Cheda-led commission to look into the operations of the City of Harare has unearthed maladministration, massive corruption, nepotism, and plunder of resources by council officials.
This comes at a time when service delivery is deteriorating, with garbage not being collected, while roads are becoming impassable each day despite the Harare City Council getting devolution funds from the central government.
Town planner, Engineer Jacob Mutisi said a dissolution of the council is the only way forward to ensure residents have value for their money.
“This expose warrants heads of the council to resign to pave the way for new leaders if the city is to attain world-class status. Massive corruption has exposed city fathers and the reasonable thing is to throw in the towel as they have failed to deliver on their mandate.”
Political Analyst Mr Elton Ziki said the commission of inquiry has exposed the rot in the council adding that the central government must swiftly intervene.
“The rot in the council has exposed all employees and with the current status, I doubt they even have meetings to review their plans that is if they are there. Potholes have not been attended to and garbage collection has not been consistent. The council has failed to carry their mandate hence they need them to be moved.”
The central government under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over the rehabilitation and construction of major roads, yet still council has failed to utilise devolution funds to deal with roads in most suburbs.
