Harare City Commission ropes in residents for writ...

Harare City Commission ropes in residents for written submissions as probe begins

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The recently formed Harare City Commission of Inquiry has invited residents and other stakeholders for submissions on a number of factors believed to be derailing the city’s governance.

This comes as the Commission probe the root of challenges faced by the city on financial management systems, procurement procedures and management of revenue among others.

It also comes as Harare, which is known for poor service delivery, was singled out recently by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe as being the most corrupt among local authorities as it has failed to come up with a proper budget and could not comply with procurement laws. The city authorities also failed to tackle the cholera pandemic, with Harare being one of the disease’s hotspots in the country.

As a result, President Emmerson Mnangagwa invoked Statutory Instrument 91 and established a Commission of Inquiry to look into Harare City’s local governance from year 2017 to date.

In a notice to the public, flighted in the press, Chairperson of the Commission, Rtd Justice Maphios Cheda said the commission sought to engage various stakeholders, including residents, to provide written submissions on financial management systems and audit compliance, revenue management, enterprise resource planning and property management among other areas.

The Commission sees this as an integral part of their comprehensive investigation into the local authority’s operations.

Rtd Justice Cheda said: “As part of the Commission’s comprehensive investigation, we are seeking written submissions from all Harare City Council stakeholders including but not limited to residents who have insights or information relevant to our mandate. Your expertise and perspective are invaluable to us in understanding the complexities and challenges faced by the Harare City Council.

“We kindly invite you to provide a detailed written submission addressing any of the following areas: Financial Management Systems and Audit Compliance: Compliance with Public Finance Management Act (Chapter 22:19) and other relevant laws. Revenue Management: Financial management of revenue generated through special vehicle companies and outsourced arrangements. Enterprise Resource Planning System: Reasons for the failure to operate an ERP system and the quantification of any resultant losses.

“Property Management Procedures: Procedures for the management, sale, issue, or transfer of council properties to private entities. Council Meeting Procedures: Convening of council meetings and adherence to standing orders and rules. Procurement Law Compliance: Compliance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (Chapter 22:23), and any other issues related to the above dealing with the management of Harare City Council,” reads the notice.

There has been a tussle between government and council over its day-to-day work procedures, especially awarding of tenders and procedural laws thereof, with various council officials having been arrested in the past in connection with graft and abuse of office.