Harare City Council’s executive compensation structure is facing intense scrutiny, with the local authority reportedly spending approximately US$500,000 monthly on salaries for top management.
The town clerk leads the pack with a monthly salary of US$27,000, potentially rising to US$30,000 when additional perks are included. The lowest-paid executive receives US$15,000 per month. However, these figures have not been approved by the Local Government Board, according to revelations from a commission of inquiry into Harare’s administrative practices.
The commission, chaired by retired Justice Maphios Cheda, also heard shocking revelations about financial mismanagement. It was disclosed that certain executives, including directors without official pay slips, racked up US$124,000 in foreign travel expenses last year. Furthermore, a staggering US$1 million was reportedly spent on high-end vehicles during the 2023 election period.
In one notable case, suspended town clerk Hosiah Chisango was allocated US$18,000 for a trip to Dubai, while director Engineer Isaac Chawatama received US$15,000 for his own travel. Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, revealed that the council’s top management costs around US$500,000 per month, with details of these salaries closely guarded.
During the inquiry, Councillor Mafume recounted an instance where he requested information about executive salaries from the human resources director, who initially refused to provide it, citing instructions from the town clerk. However, the director later shared the information privately, revealing the substantial wages. Councillor Mafume noted that despite the high salaries, no official pay slips were provided, and the payments had not received approval from the Local Government Board or the Ministry.
The commission also explored the city’s failure to implement a modern financial system, such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, largely attributing this to financial mismanagement and the illiteracy of councillors. This included the controversial termination of the BIQ billing system, which was supported by South African firm Quill Associates.
As the commission draws to a close, with verbal submissions concluded, individuals are still encouraged to submit written affidavits. The commission has three months to finalize its report, which will be submitted to President Mnangagwa. During the proceedings, Councillor Mafume, who was the final witness to testify, faced a conviction for providing false testimony regarding his residential address.
Justice Cheda concluded the session by thanking all stakeholders involved in the evidence-gathering process, noting that deliberations would soon begin.
