Story by Fungai Jachi
Harare Mayor councillor Jacob Mafume has admitted to having presided over the rot at Town House as well as unlawfully awarding himself mayoral perks at the expense of service delivery.
The Mayor appeared before the Commission of Inquiry on governance matters of the City of Harare this Thursday.
“I am sorry that there is poor service delivery in the city. I would like to see things changing for ratepayers. I am sorry for the state that the city is in. I am prepared to start on a clean slate” he said.
The apology comes amid revelations that he is pushing to be awarded mayoral perks that include accommodation which is not provided for at law.
While giving his testimony, Mafume claimed that he is entitled to a number of perks as the mayor which all come at the expense of ratepayers, arguing that it is lawful.
“As per practice a mayor is entitled to certain perks and because the mayoral mansion is occupied, they had to look for alternative accommodation for me,” he stated.
Contrary to Mafume’s claims, the director of housing at Harare City Council, Mr Edmore Nhekairo, and acting chamber secretary, advocate Warren Chiwawa said the process to come up with the resolution by the Human Resources and General Purpose Committee to provide accommodation for the mayor was illegal.
“It is illegal. That resolution was not supposed to stand because a circular from the minister had come and does say that,” said Mr Nhekairo.
“I advised them against going through with the resolution because the ministerial circular overrides resolutions made by the council,” said Mr Chiwawa.
On Wednesday, Mayor Mafume was caught in a lie after leading the Commission of Inquiry to the wrong residence where he claimed to be living.
Several top officials, including the council’s Assistant Executive to the town clerk, Matthew Marara, acting finance director Godfrey Kusangaya and acting human capital director, Bosman Matengarufu, among others, have appeared before the Commission and each appearance has revealed skeletons in the Town House closet.
The Harare City Council Commission of Enquiry was established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to investigate the local authority’s affairs since 2017.
