HARARE’S embattled town clerk, Hosiah Chisango has accused ‘tenderpreneurs and outside forces’ of orchestrating his suspension in an attempt to plunder the city’s resources, according to exclusive information obtained by the Zimbabwe Independent.
Chisango, who is currently out on bail, is embroiled in a legal battle over allegations of improperly awarding a US$9,2 million contract for street lighting to Juluka Enterprises, a blacklisted company.
He was suspended by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume on September 30, facing charges that extend beyond the contract controversy, including alleged unapproved changes to the council’s organisational structure.
In a letter dated October 10, seen by the Independent, Chisango appealed to Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe, alleging that his suspension was being driven by powerful interests in collusion with a cartel of contractors and suppliers aiming to overcharge the city for services.
“It is apparent that the battles at Town House are being sponsored by some external forces, some of who are contractors and suppliers who want to corruptly rip off council by charging exorbitant and outrageous prices for providing services,” the letter reads.
“In that respect honourable minister, there is collusion between some opposition councillors teaming up with these unscrupulous suppliers and contractors to try and nail me for not dancing to their tune which I am determined not to do.”
Chisango confirmed the letter's authenticity.
He traced the conflict back four years, claiming that attempts to discredit him began as early as 2020.
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“Resistance to these overtures have left me with my back against the wall as they push for me to be ousted from council through hook and crook,” the letter further states.
“This did not start now but has been in play since 2020.”
Regarding the street lighting tender at the centre of the scandal, Chisango told Garwe that the capital’s Procurement Management Unit (PMU) was responsible for managing the process, while his role was limited to oversight as the city’s accounting officer.
“On the procurement and award of contract for street light to Juluka Enterprises, I comment that this matter is currently before the criminal courts of Zimbabwe," he states.
"I was granted bail and in the ruling, the Judge observed the role I played as the accounting officer as well as the roles played by members of the PMU and other technical officials in relation to the Procurement Act.
“Members of the PMU were employed by the City of Harare in line with their qualifications and competencies.
“As the accounting officer of the City of Harare, I had the procurement employees and other council employees that are from time to time appointed to manage tenders, take oaths to abide by the Procurement Act provisions in the discharge of their duties,” Chisango alleges.
At the time of going to print, Garwe had not responded on whether he had taken receipt of Chisango’s letter.
In a separate letter dated October 4, Chisango’s lawyers contested the suspension in correspondence to Mafume, arguing that it lacked legal merit.
“We write to advise that we act and appear on behalf of our client…Chisango, the Town Clerk of the City of Harare,” the letter reads.
“On the procurement and award of the contract for street lights to Juluka Enterprises, our client will say that this matter is currently before the criminal courts of Zimbabwe and as such we will as instructed briefly respond to your accusation without prejudicing our client’s defence as the matter is sub judice…
“The teams that carry out these processes include members from the legal division. All contracts that are signed are witnessed by the Chamber secretary, who would have gone through and certifies the town clerk to sign.
“If anything, all records of blacklisted companies are kept by the legal division under the chamber secretary’s department,” Chisango’s lawyers further state.
The suspension letter served by Mafume accused Chisango of corruptly awarding the tender and other offences.
The absence of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, according to Mafume, severely hampered the council’s financial management capabilities and exposed it to negative publicity
At the time of going to print Mafume had not responded to questions sent to him.
Some of the allegations include failure to “secure an effective Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and system support for the management for the council’s billing and accounting systems for about five years”.
The suspension also cited unapproved alterations to the council’s organogram, claiming that Chisango made senior appointments without the necessary council or board approvals.
“More so, you have generally mishandled the ERP procurement and tender processes leading to several court challenges and attracted negative publicity thereby putting the name of the organisation into disrepute,” the suspension letter reads.
“You effected changes to the council organogram and structure by appointing senior council officers grades1, 2 and 3 without council approval and without the approval of the local governance board in terms of… the Urban Councils Act.”
While suspended, Chisango will still receive his salary and benefits but is barred from accessing city premises or performing any official duties.
Chisango, a city employee for over two decades, is required to report to the police monthly as part of his bail conditions.
