The City of Harare has been without a permanent finance director since 2018, with acting directors filling the role. Currently, Godfrey Kusangaya holds the position beyond his retirement age. Despite completing the recruitment process in February, the appointment of a substantive finance director has stalled.
This leadership vacuum has left Harare vulnerable to financial mismanagement and corruption. The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) accuses councilors, senior officials, and the Local Government Board of deliberately delaying the process for personal gain.
The previous finance directors of Harare City Council were absolute Rockstar’s – in their own minds, at least. Tendai Kwenda, the finance director who thought he was above the law, helped himself to $70,000 from the city’s coffers to buy a shiny new car without bothering with pesky council approval. Because who needs oversight when you can have a sleek ride? His colleagues were so impressed that they promptly suspended and dismissed him in 2018.
And then there’s Justin Mandizha, the finance director who dared to challenge the status quo by pushing for financial reforms. But the councilors weren’t having it, and they forced him out for being too keen on doing things by the book. It’s tough to implement sound management when those in power prefer to maintain their grip on the purse strings.
The city faces significant challenges, including;
– Financial Planning: Inadequate financial planning hinders the city’s ability to allocate resources effectively.
– Revenue Collection: Inefficient revenue collection affects the city’s ability to fund essential services.
– Service Delivery: Critical departments struggle to access funds, impacting service delivery to residents.
HRT urges the Ministry of Local Government to intervene and complete the appointment process urgently, ensuring transparent leadership and financial accountability for Harare’s residents.
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