His team of 18 managers was gobbling more than US$500 000 a month.
As part of his demands, Mahachi wanted US$100 000 salary for every year served, a new Jeep Cherokee registered under his name and a house in Harare’s leafy suburb.
Another of Mahachi’s sin was doctoring his date of birth to escape mandatory retirement and failing to avail his employment file, his alleged involvement in land scandals, failure to implement council resolutions, defying instructions by councillors and a penchant for disregarding his direct bosses and preferring to take instructions directly from then Local Government minister, Ignatius Chombo.
Prominent banker, James Mushore, was appointed to take over from Mahachi with observers saying he was the right man for the job as he would come without any political influence but his appointment was fiercely rejected by the then Minister, Savior Kasukuwere, who declared Mushore would not be at the helm of Harare not “under his watch. ”Kasukuwere was also Zanu PF’s national political commissar then.
Following his unceremonious exit from council, Mahachi was set to be replaced by renowned banker, James Mushore, who was perceived to be aligned to the opposition, marking a fierce clash at Town House.
Mushore’s appointment was fought largely by former Local Government Minister Savior Kasukuwere.
Ultimately Mahachi was replaced by Chamber Secretary, Josephine Ncube, who also had her fair share of controversy.
Though Ncube only replaced Mahachi in an acting capacity, she was also accused by councillors of financial mismanagement and was suspended.
Recently, an alleged case of financial abuse that took place in 2017 came back to haunt her and was to be arrested together with former Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni.
The matter is still before the courts.
And in came ChisangoChisango, a former Director in the Water department, and then a darling of the councillors took over from Mahachi and before long, he was implicated in cases of corruption.
Chisango has been implicated in cases of corruption with most issues coming out during the commission of inquiry set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to probe cases of suspected financial mismanagement and corruption at Town House.
Chisango was nailed for a litany of corruption allegations and corruption.
Most of his cases are before the courts.
But what’s the problem with the office?
Immediate past chairman of the Audit Committee, Councillor Blessing Duma said most of the people to take up the position of Town Clerk are not professionals but politicians. “The town clerk crisis is evident,” he said. “
No one wants to take on the role and you find that most, if not the majority, are not professionals but politicians.
They substitute professionalism with politics,” Duma added. “They begin to behave like politicians.
Additionally, the other issue lies with the policymakers, who sometimes want to control the Town Clerk.
Therefore, it is necessary for us not to have a permanent Town Clerk.
He said a new Town Clerk should have the ability to resist pressure for corruption from whatever force. “I would recommend someone with a legal background.
Such qualifications would be beneficial in addressing compliance issues,” Duma said.
Duma had one individual in mind. “There is one individual I have in mind, Dr.
Prosper Chonzi (Director of Health).
If he were to accept the position of Town Clerk, I believe he would excel,” Duma said. “If you want to see a professional department within the city of Harare, look at the Department of Health. 🔗 Read Full Article
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