Mnangagwa Extends Commission’s Tenure as Harare City Council Faces Uncertain Future
By A Correspondent | Harare, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry into the governance of the Harare City Council (HCC) for an additional three months, a move widely seen as a calculated effort to dismantle opposition-led councils. This extension fuels suspicions of a broader agenda to erode opposition influence in urban centers, with Harare as the latest battleground.
The commission, chaired by retired High Court Judge Justice Maphios Cheda, was established on May 10, 2024, to investigate governance issues within the council dating back to 2017. Initially mandated for six months, the commission’s investigations now extend to early February 2025, with a report due to President Mnangagwa by May.
The investigation focuses on alleged financial mismanagement and governance failures, with particular scrutiny on the council’s opaque handling of revenue from entities such as Rufaro Marketing and City Parking. However, critics argue that the commission’s mandate serves as a convenient tool for undermining opposition-led councils rather than addressing service delivery challenges.
Mnangagwa’s Video Sparks Outrage
In a widely circulated video, President Mnangagwa is heard saying, “All service delivery issues needing attention of the MDC, it doesn’t matter which MDC, must be stopped and they must crash at Harvest House building.” This statement has intensified concerns that the commission is part of a broader political strategy to cripple opposition-run councils, regardless of their performance or public mandate.
The Harare City Council, like many urban councils across Zimbabwe, is led by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), a rebranded successor to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). These councils have long been targets of government interference, with accusations that Mnangagwa’s administration seeks to centralize control and undermine opposition strongholds.
Commission as a De Facto Replacement
The extension of the commission’s tenure raises questions about its true purpose. Observers point out that the commission is effectively sidelining the elected council, which has faced allegations of corruption and inefficiency. While the commission investigates financial mismanagement, it also assumes a quasi-administrative role, further reducing the council’s authority.
The commission includes governance and legal experts Steven Chakaipa, Lucia Gladys Matibenga, Khonzani Ncube, and Tafadzwa Charles Hungwe. With the Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works acting as its secretary, the commission has direct access to state resources, reinforcing its position as a powerful alternative to the city council.
Broader Implications for Opposition-Led Councils
This latest development is part of a larger trend where opposition-led councils face disproportionate scrutiny and interventions from the central government. Analysts argue that Mnangagwa’s approach is less about addressing service delivery and more about asserting political dominance over urban centers traditionally controlled by the opposition.
The Harare City Council has been criticized for failing to implement a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and for lacking transparency in its financial dealings. However, opposition leaders contend that these challenges are compounded by deliberate sabotage and lack of support from central government ministries.
Future of Harare’s Governance
As the commission’s investigations continue, the fate of Harare’s governance hangs in the balance. Residents are left questioning whether the commission’s findings will result in genuine reforms or simply serve as a pretext for dismantling opposition control. The President’s explicit rhetoric against the MDC—and by extension, its successor CCC—underscores the politically charged nature of the inquiry.
While the commission’s final report is months away, the extension signals that the battle over Harare’s governance is far from over. For the city’s residents, the stakes remain high as service delivery and accountability are increasingly overshadowed by political agendas.