A NUMBER of Harare City Council (HCC) committee chairpersons do not have basic qualifications and lacks an appreciation of the demands of their mandate, it has emerged.
This was exposed during the ongoing commission of inquiry into operations of the City of Harare chaired by Retired Judge Justice Maphios Cheda.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May this year appointed a commission to probe the council’s system from 2017.
Last week, it was revealed during hearings that several municipality committee chairpersons lacked relevant expertise or basic qualifications.
Council committees include business, environment, information and publicity, audit, educational health, housing and community services and licensing committees.
HCC audit committee chairperson ward 29 councillor, Blessing Duma, confirmed that they lacked qualifications when quizzed by commissioners.
Duma revealed that he chaired the audit committee despite having qualifications in journalism and wildlife management.
“Don’t you think you are better off running after elephants? You have no qualifications in accounts,” Cheda said.
In response, Duma said elected councillors were appointed committee chairpersons without the requisite qualifications.
“Even one with a Grade 1 qualification can be elected a councillor,” Duma said.
“If you go through the curriculum vitaes of councillors at the Town House you would be shocked. We only know about someone’s qualifications later on.”
Commissioner Thabani Mpofu also took aim at the human capital resources committee chairperson George Mujajati for not having the necessary qualifications.
In response, Mujajati said they are learning on the job.
“I do not have HR experience before being a councillor,” Mujajati said.
“I was a lecturer and vice-principal at a teachers college. I want to get into a learning process and I have those abilities.”
The commission was shocked that the municipality’s business development committee is chaired by someone who only has an Ordinary Level qualification.
Chairperson, Lovemore Makuwerere, failed to provide answers when asked how much the business unit was remitting to the local authority.
“We actually assign the town clerk to go and access it. And then the town clerk will bring a report. In December, we have to raise it to 40% and unfortunately we do not have access to their books of accounts,” Makuwere said.
Environment management committee chairperson Cecelia Chimbiri, was not even aware that her committee was involved in the regularisation of stands.
Chimbiri failed to answer questions when asked about the importance of wetlands
“Some of the benefits are that the wetlands give us fresh air to breathe . . . sorry I think it is fear that I am having that is why I am falling to answer the question,” she said.
“I am still learning the ropes.”