COUNCILLORS at Harare City Council (HCC) yesterday distanced themselves from the the purchase of top-of-the range vehicles for city managers at a time when service delivery has virtually collapsed saying they are being excluded in procurement processes.
The purchase of the vehicles worth more than US$500 000 comes at a time when residents are complaining about poor service delivery with uncollected garbage piling up in residential areas amid fears this can be a breeding ground for diseases.
Ten officials from Grade 4 positions have reportedly received luxury Toyota Fortuner GD-6 sport utility vehicles costing around US$70 000 each.
Residents of the capital yesterday indicated that councillors were also involved.
Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba accused the councillors of turning a blind eye to the rot while benefiting from the scum.
However, ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore yesterday said they were being sidelined in procurement processes by senior managers.
He said despite the fact that the managers were entitled to the vehicles, their priorities were misplaced.
“All senior managers and directors are entitled to vehicles as part of their conditions of service. Some of them have been working without these vehicles for more than 10 years,” Ngadziore said.
- Harare cancels Pomona waste deal
- Devolution gains remain a mirage
- Harare cancels Pomona waste deal
- Pomona saga: Harare handed shock US$750k ‘garbage’ bill
Keep Reading
“The topical discussion is on priorities. As a city, we have many pressing issues that need money and we cannot prioritise senior management vehicles over service delivery.
“On the pricing of these vehicles, you all know that councillors are excluded from the procurement process. Directors and managers in most public institutions are entitled to these benefits.”
He said due to pressing issues in the City of Harare, they needed to revisit the conditions of service for senior managers and directors, especially on the issue of vehicles.
Ngadziore said there was a need to devise a workable arrangement that would leave Town House with competent staff.
Asked on the allegations made by councillors, council spokesperson Stanley Gama said: “It’s a lie. Everything goes through council resolutions”.
The purchase of vehicles for managers comes when there is a commission of inquiry probing corporate governance issues at Harare City Council since 2017. President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May appointed a five-member commission chaired by retired judge Justice Maphios Cheda to probe alleged malfeasance at Town House.
