By Correspondent
The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to immediately prosecute all officials implicated in the Justice Maphios Cheda Commission of Inquiry.
It has warned that failure to act will confirm that “those implicated are laughing at the President” and believe they are above the law.
The Commission of Inquiry into the Financial Affairs of the City of Harare, gathered evidence qnd handed its report in 2024.
It had gathered evidence from the Town Clerk, senior council officials, councillors, citizens and civil society organisations including HRT.
Key areas probed included massive stands allocation scandals and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system procurement irregularities.
The Commission heard that the irregularities had resulted in losses running into millions of United States dollars.
NO SACRED COWS
Speaking on the findings, HRT said justice demands action, not more reports.
“Evidence without consequence is not justice, it’s cover.
“Whoever is implicated must face due process, and if convicted, must be jailed.
“No sacred cows in the City of Harare.
The residents body argued that the rot in council continues to undermine service delivery and erode public trust in local government.
PRESIDENT URGED TO ACT
HRT appealed directly to the President, noting his repeated mantra that “Zimbabwe is Open for Business.”
“All the issues raised during the President’s Commission of Inquiry by Justice Cheda should not go to waste,” HRT said.
“We appeal to the President to act and put to the sword those implicated in the rot in the City.
“The Commission sat to investigate how City of Harare resources were managed over an 8-year period marked by public outcry over illegal land sales, opaque procurement, and collapse of basic services.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Analysts say the Cheda Inquiry is one of the most comprehensive probes into Harare City Council finances to date.
The stands scandal alone has left thousands of residents with fake offer letters, while the ERP system was meant to bring transparency but instead became the center of new procurement questions.
HRT maintains that prosecuting those named will restore confidence in the rule of law and accountability
It will also send a clear message that public office is a trust, not an opportunity for self-enrichment.
