By Pieter Ziegler
The Harare Commission of Inquiry concluded its business on Tuesday after 9 months of public hearings.
The five member commission was led by retired High Court Judge Justice Maphios Cheda.
Having concluded its public hearings the commissions will now compile a report of findings and recommendations.
Harare has had some commissions before and yet the final results are always nearly similar.
The Thompson Commission, 1998
From 1981, Solomon Tawengwa was a councillor in the City of Harare.
He became ceremonial mayor in 1986, abandoning it in 1988 when he opted to be a Member of Parliament.
He returned to Council in 1995 when the position of executive mayor was introduced, becoming the first executive mayor of Harare.
However, the introduction of executive mayor was not followed by an improvement in service delivery.
Harare often went for weeks without water, refuse collection was erratic, potholes were not repaired, and council was months behind in its salary obligations.
Commission Findings
In 1998 the Thompson Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the state of service delivery and administration in the city.
It found the mayor guilty of “gross dereliction of duty and mismanagement” of council affairs.
Tavengwa was eventually ousted together with his council for gross dereliction of duty and mismanagement of the affairs of Harare.
Chanakira Commission
According to Local Government expert Carlton Chigwata, after his dismissal government was reluctant to replace him with another mayor elected by residents.
Instead, it opted for the Elijah Chanakira Commission to take over management of the city.
Jameson Kurasha Commission
In 2002 Elias Mudzuri became the first opposition Executive Mayor of Harare.
However, due to power struggles in 2003 he was suspended by then Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo.
“The reasons for the suspension were given as corruption, abuse of power, improper dismissal of council staff, improper tender procedures, and failure to cooperate with national government.
Minister Chombo then set up a nine member Commission chaired by Jameson Kurasha to commence investigations.
“The Commission continued with its investigation even though a High Court ruling had declared that it was improperly established and that its findings could not be used to relieve the Mayor of his duties.
To circumvent the ruling, the Minister appointed another Commission
headed by Johannes Tomana to investigate the Mayor.
Citing its illegality plus unfairness in conduct Mudzuri refused to appear before the Commission.
Nevertheless, recommended his dismissal and he was removed.
Makwavarara Commission
With Mudzuri removed from the mayoral office, Government appointed deputy mayor, Sekesai Makwavarara, as acting mayor.
Minister Chombo then elevated her to be chairperson of the Commission running City of Harare.
Notably the commission was ruled as illegal when the fired Town Clerk Nomutsa Chideya took it to court.
Here And Now
Harare now faces the pressing reality that elected councillors and the Mayor may be removed from office.
While this is dependent on the recommendations of the commission precedent has already shown that it’s the most likely decision.
The extent to which the hearing went in revealing the dark and shady side of Harare Council hints at a prior agenda.
The ruling ZANU PF has in times past revealed itself to be doggedly serious in the pursuance of control and power such that no move is too much.
For the full law on the commission download the Act below
