Harare Commission: Who Is Maphios Cheda?

By Correspondent

President Mnangagwa recently apponted a Commission of Inquiry to investigate Harare’s local governance issues since 2017.

It is led by Retired High Court Judge, Justice Maphios Cheda.

The other Commissioners are Steven Chakaipa, Norbert Phiri, Lucia Gladys Matibenga and Khonzani Ncube.

The Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works, Dr John Bhasera will be its Secretary.

Beginning of A Career

Cheda is a retired Judge who has had a very long career in the legal sector.

His career began in 1975 when he joined the legal system as a Court Clerk.

He rose through the ranks until he became a High Court Judge.

In 2013, Justice Cheda worked as High Court Judge in Namibia where he helped the country establish an e-justice system.

He made many landmark rulings at the High Court of Namibia which were cited in a number of law journals.

His first ruling delivered on 23 July 2018, involved a dispute between Faida Trading and Clearing Enterprises and Nedbank.

Chairman of Many

In October 2020, Cheda was sworn in as Chairman of the Tribunal to inquire into the removal from office of Commissioner Mary Manjengwa and Commissioner Tadius Muzoroza.

In May 2021, he was appointed chairperson of the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

The aim of the tribunal was to decongest Chikurubi, Mulondolozi and other correctional and rehabilitation institutions.

On June 17, 2021, Cheda was appointed as chairperson of a tribunal set up to determine Justice Thompson Mabhikwa’s fitness to hold the office of High Court judge.

As someone with close connections to the echelons of power he has had a fair share of scandals.

At one time Cheda was involved in land battles with Ward 24 Matobo district villagers.

They accused him of encroaching into their properties.

Cheda had been allocated land in the area by the government in 2010.

However, he was accused of dividing the village into two and taking more than three-quarters of the land.

Estate Funds Abuse

Most infamous is his formation and subsequent closure of a law firm due to abuse of estate funds.

The Judge opened Cheda and Partners in 1992 and by 2001 it had grown to over 30 workers with half being lawyers.

However, the firm had to close in 2015 after senior partners mismanaged trust funds amounting to US$335 000.

In 2022 the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry, appointed Cheda as the chairman of the National Gallery of ZimbabweNGZ) Board of Trustees.

He replaced Dr. Solomon Guramatunhu, who held the post since 2013.

After digging into the darkness that is Harare City Council one hopes the experienced Judge will help uncover what is dragging back progress in the capital.

Though some of what will be found will simply be serious inefficiency or bad decisions there sure appears to be criminality in some of the actions and omissions.