Harare – Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), leader Nelson Chamisa, is likely to face summons to testify before the Harare City Council’s (HCC) Commission of Inquiry.
The Commission led by former High Court judge in Justice Maphios Cheda, is investigating irregularities within HCC dating back to 2017 including land deals, financial mismanagement, leasing of city properties, council business units among others.
Chamisa is expected to answer for the conduct of officials under his party during his tenure at the time under review on allegations that they fast-tracked the illegal sale of land and regularisation ahead of the 2023 elections.
An audio recording from councillor Blessing Duma who entered council on Chamisa’s ticket, was submitted as evidence to the Commission.
In the recording, Duma alleges that Chamisa instructed councillors to expedite the regularization of settlements that court orders mandated for demolition.
The Commission adjourned last week and is expected to return on October 8 when Chamisa is likely to be advised of his date to appear.
Duma, currently facing separate corruption charges before the courts, admitted the authenticity of the audio and its implications for Chamisa.
Appearing before the Commission earlier this month Duma disputed that the controversial regularisation disproportionately favoured CCC linked cooperatives, side lining those affiliated with Zanu PF.
The Commission, established to address corruption and mismanagement in Harare’s local government, has also uncovered financial malpractices, including HCC’s spending over US$11 million on workshops in just six months.
Additional irregularities include the operations of HCC business subsidiaries such as Harare Quarry and Rufaro Marketing, both accused of failing to remit funds.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume and several council officials are expected to be questioned as the Commission continues its six-month investigation before delivering its findings to president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Source – ZimNow