By Correspondent
Harare City Council (HCC) has secured government approval to implement the controversial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, but residents will not fully benefit from it until 2026.
Council’s Information Specialist Malvern Mugwidi revealed this.
Mugwidi was presenting before Harare Ward 41 residents during a 2026 Budget Consultative Meeting on Saturday.
Mugwidi said that the system would not be fully functional until next year.
“The ERP has been approved, and we are already installing it.
“However, for it to be fully operational across the city, I can say that it will be next year, 2026.
“Therefore, you may continue to experience some of the issues which you thought had ended until the process is complete next year,” he said.
The process of installing servers for the new ERP began in 2024 after the signing of the agreement.
Legacy of Leakages
The absence of an ERP has led to massive leakages in the Council.
The Auditor General has repeatedly flagged the financial mismanagement at Harare City Council, with more than US$200 million unaccounted for.
This has raised suspicions of corruption within the municipality.
However, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume suggested that the amount identified by the Auditor General might be lower than the actual losses incurred by the council.
“I am unable to provide exact figures because management has ensured that no audits have been conducted at the Council from 2019 to date.
“However, we have anecdotal evidence.
“Millions are paid out, duplicate payments are made, and some ratepayers’ fees are waived.
“We could be looking at losses of around US$10 million per year.
“The City Council has been haemorrhaging funds,” said Mafume.
Controversy
The acquisition of the new ERP hasn’t been without controversy, as Mayor Mafume has repeatedly clashed with Council management.
Samson Madzokere, the Harare Council IT department boss, was suspended last year by Mafume over the system.
Mafume alleged that Madzokere and the IT department pushed for a new US$51 million ERP system, which required Council to pay US$350 000 per year.
The alternative system, which they rejected, mandated the Council to pay US$75 000 per year.
Madzokere was also accused of spending US$20 000 per trip on numerous occasions, travelling to South Africa to canvas for the US$51 million deal.
However, while the IT boss argued that the trips were funded by the prospective ERP supplier Mafume argued otherwise.
“The bidders provided us with air tickets, accommodation and meals as per our agreement.
“However, each time an employee leaves the country, he or she is entitled to out-of-pocket allowances consummate with the grade.
