Source: Council considers abolishing HR department – herald
Diana Nherera
HARARE City Council is contemplating abolishing its human resources department due to persistent failures, Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said recently.
The decision underscores a broader issue of inefficiency and mismanagement that has plagued the Harare City Council for years.
At the last full council meeting, Cllr Mafume expressed frustration over the council’s inability to meet basic operational needs. “The whole town is in dust and procurement is a human resources department issue,” he said.
His comments come at a time when the city’s infrastructure is deteriorating, with unpaved roads causing significant inconvenience to residents.
Historically, the Harare City Council has faced criticism for its administrative inefficiencies, leading to a lack of accountability and transparency. Residents have long complained about poor service delivery, with issues ranging from waste management to inadequate road maintenance. The procurement department’s failure to acquire necessary supplies, such as tar for road repairs, is just one example of the systemic problems that continue to hinder the council’s effectiveness.
Cllr Mafume highlighted that funds allocated from City Parking and Zinara have not been used effectively.
“Since last year, we have not bought tar,” he noted, illustrating the dire state of city infrastructure. The mayor pointed out that critical needs, including the mayor’s vehicle and fuel, remain unmet due to procurement delays, raising serious questions about the council’s operational integrity.
“The whole existence of this council is at stake,” he said, emphasising the urgent need for reform.
Cllr Mafume’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among city officials and residents alike that the current structure is unsustainable.
As the council grapples with these issues, the future of the HR department remains uncertain. Cllr Mafume urged his colleagues to find a way to address these challenges, signalling a potential shift in governance aimed at improving service delivery in Harare.
In May last year, President Mnangagwa constituted a Commission of Inquiry led by Justice Maphios Cheda, following complaints about deteriorating service delivery in Harare.
Speaking to the media after handing over the report of their findings to the President mid-June, Justice Cheda said Harare City has been run by unscrupulous individuals for decades and their “dirty hands have been in the cookie jar”.
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