The deepening crisis at the Harare city council has exposed shocking levels of corruption, incompetence, and administrative decay that continue to cripple service delivery in Zimbabwe’s capital city.
For years, residents have endured unbearable living conditions characterized by burst sewer pipes, uncollected garbage, deteriorating roads, and unreliable water supplies. Yet, despite this suffering, allegations continue to emerge that some senior council officials are prioritizing personal enrichment over the welfare of the people they were elected and entrusted to serve.
What is most disturbing is the growing perception of arrogance and impunity among certain officials within the local authority. Some individuals implicated in corruption allegations reportedly believe that they are beyond the reach of the law, even after commissions of inquiry and investigations exposed serious irregularities within the operations of the city council.
Such behavior demonstrates a dangerous disregard for accountability and public trust.
At a time when residents are battling poor sanitation and worsening health risks, reports of hefty salaries and allowances being awarded to top council executives have further angered the public.
While ordinary citizens struggle daily with collapsed service delivery, a privileged few appear determined to benefit from the very institution they are supposed to protect.
This disconnect between leadership and the suffering of residents has become one of the clearest signs that Harare city council has lost touch with its constitutional obligation to serve the people.
Across high-density suburbs, raw sewage continues to flow openly through residential areas, exposing families to dangerous outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. The city’s sanitation crisis is no longer merely an administrative challenge but is now a major public health emergency.
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Roads remain damaged, refuse collection is inconsistent, and water shortages persist despite residents continuing to pay rates and taxes.
The painful reality is that Harare residents are paying for services that are either poorly delivered or not delivered at all.
Equally alarming are the allegations surrounding corruption in land administration. Investigations have repeatedly revealed cases of double allocations, illegal settlements, and the growing influence of land barons operating with alleged protection from certain council officials.
Reports suggest that some individuals within the city council may have created networks and proxy pay schemes designed to manipulate land allocation systems for personal gain.
As a result, desperate home seekers continue to fall victim to fraudulent transactions while the city descends into disorderly and unplanned urban expansion.
This level of corruption and institutional failure explains why many residents are now calling for stronger intervention measures to restore sanity within the capital city.
The current state of affairs demonstrates that Harare city council has failed to effectively manage the city’s affairs and safeguard the interests of residents.
If urgent corrective action is not taken, the continued collapse of service delivery threatens to further damage the image, economy, and health standards of Zimbabwe’s capital.
In the midst of this crisis, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa deserves recognition for his firm and consistent stance against corruption.
His administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of accountability, transparency, and clean governance across both public and private institutions.
The establishment of commissions of inquiry and anti-corruption mechanisms demonstrates a leadership commitment to confronting abuse of office and restoring public confidence in state institutions.
President Mnangagwa has consistently made it clear that no individual should be above the law, regardless of political affiliation or position.
His anti-corruption drive has sent a strong message that Zimbabwe cannot achieve meaningful development while corruption continues to consume institutions meant to serve the people.
The exposure of irregularities within Harare city council is therefore, an important step toward restoring integrity and professionalism within local governance systems.
Given the gravity of the crisis at the city council, there is growing justification for Harare to be temporarily administered under a commission tasked with restoring order, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
Such a commission would provide an opportunity to rebuild governance structures, eliminate corrupt networks, and implement transparent systems capable of restoring the dignity and functionality of the capital city.
A commission-led administration could help accelerate infrastructure rehabilitation, improve financial accountability, strengthen urban planning systems, and ensure that public resources are directed toward the needs of residents rather than personal enrichment.
More importantly, it would send a clear message that incompetence and corruption will no longer be tolerated in institutions entrusted with public service responsibilities.
Harare is not just another city but it is the heartbeat of Zimbabwe and the face of the nation. Its continued deterioration reflects negatively on the country’s broader development aspirations.
Residents deserve a clean, organized, and functional city where roads are maintained, water flows consistently, refuse is collected efficiently, and sewer systems operate properly.
The moment has therefore, arrived for decisive leadership and bold reforms. Authorities must act firmly against all individuals implicated in corruption and abuse of office within the city council.
The law must take its course without fear or favor. At the same time, meaningful structural reforms must be introduced to ensure that Harare is restored to its former dignity and becomes a city that residents can once again take pride in.
Zimbabwe’s future depends on accountable leadership, ethical governance, and institutions that genuinely serve the people. The restoration of Harare begins with confronting corruption decisively and supporting leadership initiatives aimed at rebuilding integrity within public institutions.
*Clever Marisa (Prof) is a social scientist and public health practitioner. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of his affiliated institution or any organisation.
