Story by Peter Chivhima
The Commission of Inquiry into the Governance of Harare City Council has unearthed shocking revelations after it emerged that two land developers were illicitly granted permission to sell unserviced stands in Harare.
This came out when Harare City Council’s Audit Chairperson, Councilor Blessing Duma appeared before the commission this Thursday.
In his submissions before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry this Thursday, Councillor Duma said the city is entrenched in institutional corruption.
Councillor Duma submitted that council officials allegedly flouted procedures after giving the green light to land developers, Pure Gold and Shelter Zimbabwe to sell unserviced land to desperate home seekers.
“It is surprising to note that the Harare City Council officials gave the green light to Shelter Zimbabwe and Pure Gold to sell unserviced residential stands. I think these companies are being run by Harare City Council employees. The composition of the Human Resources and Sports Committee is not constituted. On the 12th of January this year, there was a reshuffle and these committees became illegal. This is a sign of institutional corruption,” he said.
Duma also petitioned the inquest to issue a directive instructing Harare City Council top officials to refrain from making any changes to the council’s management structure until the ongoing investigation is complete.
Another witness and victim, Mr Simon Chidhakwa appealed to the Commission to help him recover over US$400 000 allegedly embezzled by officials at Rufaro Marketing, a subsidiary of Harare City Council.
“I am praying to the Commission to assist me because I am being victimised by officials who run the Rufaro Marketing. They are still collecting money despite that I have paid US$405 000. I also want the Commission to know how these people are operating. They are collecting money for their personal use.”
The Retired High Court Judge Justice Maphios Cheda-led inquest has so far exposed a web of corrupt activities at Town House, including revelations that officials recklessly squandered over US$11 million on weekly workshops and seminars in just seven months.
An attempt to manipulate the August 2023 General Elections through shoddy regularisation of residential stands has also been exposed.
