The City of Harare is plagued by administrative dysfunction due to the stalled recruitment process for a substantive finance director. Despite completing interviews and selecting top candidates in February, the process remains incomplete, fueling concerns about corruption and manipulation.
The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) accuses powerful councilors and bureaucrats of deliberately blocking the recruitment to maintain control over financial loopholes. This has led to unchecked financial leakages, poor oversight, and manipulation of procurement processes. Acting finance director Godfrey Kusangaya allegedly failed to release funds to needy council departments, causing service delivery deterioration.
A commission of inquiry chaired by Justice Maphios Cheda revealed a culture of corruption within the Harare City Council, including:
– Lack of Accounting Systems: The council operated without a consolidated accounting system, making it vulnerable to financial mismanagement.
– Questionable Land Deals: Council officials and councilors engaged in suspicious land deals, attempting to shield themselves from accountability.
– Financial Irregularities: Inflated invoices, unaccounted payments, and contracts awarded to companies without a track record of delivery.
HRT urges the Ministry of Local Government and the Commission of Inquiry to investigate payments made under Kusangaya’s tenure and the role of key councilors in the stalled recruitment. Mayor Jacob Mafume allegedly exerted undue influence, blocking the recruitment for his preferred appointee.
Harare has lacked a permanent finance director since 2018, with acting appointments leading to financial instability. Previous directors faced controversy and dismissal due to corruption charges or reforms threatening entrenched interests, resulting in millions lost in revenue through deliberately created loopholes.
