By Correspondent
Former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa this week appeared before the Justice Cheda-led Commission of Inquiry currently investigating Harare City Council.
The event gained so much interest from the public some of whom couldn’t understand why Chamisa appeared.
There are several factors that warranted Chamisa’s appearance.
Chamisa’s Former Party Controls Harare Council
Before his abrupt resignation from CCC, Nelson Chamisa led the embattled opposition which essentially controlled Harare City Council.
Harare has a total of 59 Councillors of which about 50 belong to the opposition CCC.
The ruling party, ZANU PF, in 2023 only had 9.
This means that much of the policy direction of Harare Council is being directed by the opposition.
The seating Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume is himself a member of CCC.
This makes Chamisa a necessary individual to interview for the Commission.
Accusations of Manipulation
Most importantly Chamisa needed to appear to exonerate himself after being accused of dabbling in Council affairs.
Chamisa was alleged to have given a directive to councillors to fast-track land regularisation in the run-up top the 2023 elections.
However, appearing before the commission Chamisa denied allegations that he directed councillors to fast-track regularisation of settlements.
“Well, I am not aware of that process, but what I am aware of is that there is a lot of tomfoolery and shenanigans.
“In fact, what bleeds my heart is the fact that each time councillors are elected on a party ticket the moment they go into council, they go bonkers.
Chamisa Throws Former Allies Under The Bus
“(They) run amok, throw away all dictates of reason, throw away all dictates of allegiance and loyalty to the party, which I can’t understand,” he said.
He also spoke about the destruction of people’s houses, a move he denigrated.
“People’s houses were being destroyed and I had difficulties appreciating and understanding why a whole council would destroy people’s houses.
“I take umbrage and great exception to people who then choose to undermine the rights of others in terms of the Constitution.
“Naturally, I would have issues with any kind of disposition where people’s houses are destroyed.
“As regards processes within the council, I am not a councillor, not a mayor, not even a council official.
“In terms of the Urban Councils Act, there is no way individual citizens can actually have authority over the processes of council.
Chamisa Distances Self
“Because council is a creature of statutes and council is a product of the law.
“Anything that happens within the council is governed by statutes, laws and procedures within that council.”
Essentially, Chamisa said he was not able to control the councillors because parties are not contemplated in the statutes in terms of the running of Councils.
“We are governed by the electorate.
“We are governed by the Urban Councils Act and on that score, then it becomes very difficult to bring to account, especially our councillors.
“I just hope that the commission will appreciate that delinquent characters must, you know, account for their delinquency and name throwing.
There are many people who rape in the name of leaders,” he said.
The inquiry was established to deal with increased challenges in service delivery.
These includes water shortages, uncollected refuse and deteriorating infrastructure.
Councillors and management have also been accused of abusing funds and colluding with land barons.
