Drama, tension grips council meeting
KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume was involved in a public spat witnessed by councillors on Tuesday after Town Clerk, Engineer Hosea Chisango, who he had earlier on suspended turned up for duty and as per norm, sat next to him during a full council meeting.
A visibly irate Mafume was seen arguing with Chisango before journalists the meeting were asked out not to witness the chaos.
Chisango was suspended by Mafume over a litany of allegations that include irregular awarding of a million-dollar tender to a company run by incarcerated duo of Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu.
The Town Clerk, Mafume wrote in his letter of suspension, awarded a tender to a blacklisted company and the suspicion is he was complicit.
In the ensuing melee, some councillors forced out journalists who they did not want to cover the altercation saying: “Press, please excuse us. We will call you. Kindly respect in-house policy.”
Other councillors expressed concern over confusion “at the front” where Chisango took position only to be replaced by acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena.
Another “unfamiliar face” was also at the front table after reports that Warren Chiwawa, acting Chamber Secretary, was arrested.
It turned out he was not arrested but had been summoned to testify on how the Sports committee of council was established.
“Today, we are facing unfamiliar faces. We demand clarity on the situation unfolding before us,” councillor Blessing Duma said.
Mafume hit back at Duma saying: “You speak of order while pursuing a law degree yet you misled the Commission of Inquiry about your occupation. How can you presume to instruct us on procedural matters?”
Duma retorted “I informed them of what they needed to know.”
There is bad blood between Mafume and Duma after the Budiriro councillor accused the Mayor of corruption in his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to investigate financial management cases at the metropolis.
Duma was recently arrested for fraud and his case is continuing at the Harare Magistrates Court.
“Social media seems to possess more information than we do as councillors. How can it be that social media is more informed than we are?” another councillor Kudzai Kadzombe quizzed.
The discussion then veered toward the pressing issue of fuel shortages, which had significantly hampered service delivery, evidenced by reports of sewage bursts and water shortages. Mafume defended the council, stating,
There was a heated debate over the failure by council to provide service delivery amid accusations and counter-accusations.
“We cannot accept that fuel is scarce when top officials always seem to have access to it,” Kadzombe argued.
Her sentiments were echoed by councillor Womberaishe Nhende who said: “It’s a matter of priorities. We focus on trivial issues instead of essential services.”
The meeting also touched on the controversial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with councillors accusing the council officials of financial mismanagement.
“I will ensure that those responsible for the inefficiencies in our ERP system face consequences. We cannot continue to function without it.”
Mafume recently told ZIFM current affairs program that top officials had allegedly siphoned US$52 million from the ERP system.
Another issue raised during the meeting was the overspending by councillors on workshops that have gobbled millions of dollars at the expense of service delivery.
Mafume also took a jibe at councillor Denford Ngadziore accusing him of wanting to coerce him into selling council property in Chishawasha.
“You cannot compel me to sell council property. I require time to deliberate, so why betray me in this setting?” he implored.