Judge, lawyer, a politician, senior civil servant ...

Judge, lawyer, a politician, senior civil servant and local government rep constitute Harare Commission of Inquiry

**From lef: Retired Judge Justice Maphios Cheda, politician Lucia Matibenga, Norbert Phiri, Steven Chakaipa and Khonzani Ncube**

Zim Now Writer

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is sticking with a tried and tested favourite to head the commission of inquiry to investigate governance issues at Harare City Council with a mandate to run for six months with an extension option of three months.

Retired Judge Maphios Cheda together with Local Government chairperson Steven Chakaipa, Norbert Phiri a legal practitioner, former Kuwadzana MP Lucia Gladys Matibenga and chief director responsible for local authorities in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Ms Khonzani Ncube, will submit a report to the President “within three months of completion of the Inquiry”.

The Commission is mandated to look into HCC’s accounting systems and financial affairs over the last seven years and investigations will encompass:

Compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and other laws

· Financial management of revenue generated through SPV and other out-sourced arrangements

· Reasons behind the failure to operate an Enterprise Resource Planning system

· Procedures of management, sell or lease or transfer of the local authority’s properties to private entities

· Convening of council meetings

· Compliance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act

· Investigate anything else that the commission deems appropriate and relevant to the inquiry

The Commission has wide-ranging powers to “Make visits where necessary, summon witnesses, record proceedings, minute testimonies, and documents, consider and manage all information gathered in order to arrive at appropriate findings and recommendations to the President.”

City of Harare has been dogged by shoddy service delivery, allegations of corruption and poor acumen in stitching together deals.

Political interference has also played its part with the Zanu PF-led Local Government Ministry often at odds with the opposition lead council.

Infighting in the opposition saw the opposition install and recall several mayors post the August 23 elections before incumbent Jacob Mafume finally got a proper grip on power.

The notice added that the Commission will “conduct visitations where necessary, summon witnesses, record proceedings, minute testimonies and documents, consider and manage all information gathered in order to arrive at appropriate findings and recommendations to the President”.

Maphios Cheda Profile

Maphios Cheda served as a judge at the Bulawayo High Court and High Court of Namibia is the current chairperson of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe board.

He has been a favourite ED appointee to head enquiries.

In 2022, Cheda was appointed chair of the Tribunal to inquire into the removal from office of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commissioner John Makamure. In 2020, Cheda also sat on a similar tribunal over cases of Commissioner Mary Manjengwa and Commissioner Tadius Muzoroza before recusing himself.

In 2021, Cheda was appointed chairperson of the Mental Health Review Tribunal whose aim was to decongest Chikurubi, Mulondolozi and other correctional and rehabilitation institutions.

Also in 2021, Cheda was appointed to tribunal investigating allegations of “sexual harassment” and “possession of pornographic material.” allegations against Thompson Mabhikwa after a lover leaked the judge’s nudes. Cheda later recused himself as he said he was related to the woman at the centre of the debacle.