The government of Zimbabwe is set to appoint a commission to run the affairs of MDC Alliance controlled Harare City Council following the arrest of Mayor Herbert Gomba and other city officials.
The arrest of the MDC Alliance mayor has been described by the opposition as unconstitutional as he was allegedly picked up by military intelligence officers in the middle of the night and in presence of his wife and children. Political analysts believe Gomba’s arrest is the latest attempt by Zanu PF to reverse the will of the people in 2018 elections by removing a people voted council and replacing it with their cronies.
A meeting was held between Local Government and Public Works Ministry and the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe in Harare yesterday and state media reports the government hinted about appointing a commission to run the capital city.
“The arrest of council officials over the past weeks and that of Gomba this week has left Government pondering appointing a commission. The city fathers are being blamed for conniving with management instead of being the watchdogs,” said the source that spoke to the Herald.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo also hinted about a possible appointment of a commission.
“There are constitutional procedures that are supposed to be followed when appointing a commission and as Government we are yet to do that,” he said.
A little known organisation Zimbabwe Combined Residents Association (Zicora), through its president McSteven Nyabvure is reported to be supporting the appointment of a commission.
“A commission should have been in place way back. Our lives are in danger due to corruption. The commission should have been placed like yesterday,” he said.
Another shadowy organisation the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust blamed the councillors for lining their pockets at the expense of service delivery. Its leader Shepherd Chikomba is supporting the government’s move to appoint a commission to run Harare City.
“We demand that Government put in a commission to run the affairs of our beloved city; the corruption levels perpetrated by these corrupt councils cannot go unchallenged,” he said. “We will welcome the commission with open hands. Residents are no longer the priority of these city fathers who have failed us. This level of corruption is uncalled for and we condemn it in the strongest terms. Maybe if a commission is appointed to run these councils, things will change for the better. Government has to intervene,” Chikomba said.
Combined Harare Residents Association director Mrs Loreen Mupasiri-Sani rejected the idea of the government appointing a commission to run Harare City Council. She argued the councillors are accountable to the people unlike the commission that will report to the government.
A number of Harare council officials were arrested over alleged land scams Kuwadzana and Westlea.
Housing director Addmore Nhekairo is facing a criminal abuse of office charge over approval of Westlea stands allocation whereas Acting human resources director Matthew Marara and principal housing director Edgar Dzehonye are being accused of fleecing USD1 141 779 from land seekers in Kuwadzana. They were all denied bail.
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