Suburban
A new dilemma of two mayors at Town House is the least of distractions the residents of the capital city have been expecting. Suspended Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has bounced back at Town House while Acting Mayor Councillor Musarurwa Mutizwa says he is still in charge.
It is obvious to everyone who follows the City of Harare that a tussle has already erupted between the two officials as they both claim to be at the helm of the municipality. What will follow when such contestations for office and power erupt is a slump in service delivery as the officials expend their energy on consolidating or enforcing their authority.
Councillor Mafume through his lawyers Mupanga Bhatasara Attorneys has since written to the Harare town clerk, the Acting Mayor and Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo informing them that his suspension by Minister Moyo had since lapsed following the expiry of the mandatory 45 days. He argues that by law he has reverted to be Harare Mayor and all communications and notices of meetings be brought to his attention as per the law.
Councillor Mafume has also stated that any delays in ensuring he gets back into office and resume his duties as Mayor will result in legal consequences.
He demanded to be accorded all the rights and responsibilities of the office of Mayor of Harare within two days of receipt of the letter. Councillor Mafume’s letter was dated June 7, 2021. He was arrested for criminal abuse of office involving illegal parcelling of residential stands before being suspended together with his deputy Luckson Mukunguma and four other councillors by Minister Moyo pending the outcome of their criminal trials. The charges still stand.
On other hand the Acting Town Clerk Engineer Mabhena Moyo and Acting Mayor Councillor Musarurwa have expressed ignorance over Councillor Mafume’s letter with the Acting Mayor insisting he is still in charge at Town House.
It is such confusion and logjams which worsen the state of service delivery in Harare because officials will now be taking instructions from two bosses and have the dilemma of which instruction and from which Mayor to follow or carry out. In the meantime, the provision for water and refuse collection continues to be pipe dream for residents some of whom are religiously paying their rates and charges every month while some go the extra mile to help with road repairs, refuse collection and other service delivery issues.
We are left wondering as to why things are left to get to such chaotic situations when those responsible could act in time to prevent the duplication of duties or roles at a crucial institution such as the City of Harare. What Harare needs right now is a leadership with clarity of what needs to be done to revive services in the city and not duplication of roles and unnecessary fights, which can be avoided.