The city of Harare, once the pride of Zimbabwe, has been marred by poor service delivery, corruption, and mismanagement for far too long.
The recent commission of inquiry preliminary report into the operations of Harare City Council has exposed the deep-seated rot that has been festering within the local authority, with senior officials and councillors cited as the chief culprits.
The report's findings are a damning indictment of the council's leadership and a clear indication that radical action is needed to restore integrity and good governance to the city.
The commission's preliminary report revealed extensive corruption and mismanagement, including the payment of exorbitant salaries to senior officials, luxury foreign trips, and the purchase of top-of-the-range vehicles.
These extravagant expenditures were made at the expense of the city's residents, who have been forced to endure poor service delivery, including frequent sewer blockages and water shortages.
The report's findings are a clear indication that the council's leadership has failed to prioritise the needs of the city's residents, instead focusing on lining their own pockets.
Residents of Harare are paying the price for the maladministration and corruption that has plagued the city.
The collapse of infrastructure, including the water supply and sanitation systems, has had severe consequences for the city's residents.
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The cholera outbreak that has affected many parts of the city is a stark reminder of the consequences of poor governance and corruption.
It is imperative that the authorities take bold and decisive action to address the issues highlighted in the commission's preliminary report. The President's Vision 2030 for an upper-middle economy cannot be achieved if council officials continue to engage in corrupt practices that undermine the rule of law and hinder economic growth.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 is a noble initiative that requires the support of everyone to achieve it but the corrupt activities of Harare City Council are undermining the effort to achieve this vision.
The Harare City Council officials appear to believe that they are above the law, undermining the President's commitment to driving economic development.
Evidence suggests that despite numerous reports and articles highlighting the rampant corruption and mismanagement within the council, the situation has worsened.
Corrupt activities have become a survival mechanism for these officials, and it is hindering the economic development and growth of the country hence the need for radical surgery to restore accountability and transparency.Based on the preliminary reports from the commission of inquiry, empirical evidence, various reports and articles highlighting the rampant corruption and mismanagement within Harare City Council, it is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address the crisis. In order to restore integrity and good governance in the city council, the following steps should be considered:
*Dismiss all council officials implicated in corruption and mismanagement, including senior executives and councillors.
*Prosecute corrupt officials and recover stolen funds to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.
*Implement reforms to strengthen the institution of local governance and prevent corruption and mismanagement in the future.
*Increase transparency and accountability in the operations of Harare City Council, including regular audits and public disclosure of financial information
-Support good governance and leadership at Harare City Council, including providing training and capacity-building programmes for council officials.
In conclusion, the authorities should take bold and decisive action to address the corruption and mismanagement that has plagued Harare City Council for far too long.
Evidence suggests that the recent commission of inquiry report has exposed the rot that has been festering within the local authority, and it is imperative that the authorities take action to restore integrity and good governance to the city.
The residents of Harare deserve better, and it is time for the authorities to act now to clean up the mess at Harare City Council and ensure that the city is governed in a transparent and accountable manner.
Only then can the city begin to realise its full potential and provide its residents with the services they deserve.
*Clever Marisa (PhD), is 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 other organisation.
