Skills audit for Harare council staff 

Source: Skills audit for Harare council staff – herald

Blessings Chidakwa

Herald Reporter

HARARE City Council is set to conduct a comprehensive skills audit in response to growing concerns over the disconnect between employee qualifications and the declining quality of service delivery across various departments.

Despite a workforce boasting impressive academic credentials, residents continue to experience significant failures in basic city functions.

Recent reports highlight alarming issues, including frequent sewer bursts and an inadequate supply of potable water, suggesting that many employees may not be equipped to manage the city’s operations effectively.

The situation has prompted urgent calls for re-evaluation of the city’s human resources.

At the city’s 1 935th ordinary council meeting, the mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume underscored the necessity of a skills audit, questioning whether the qualifications of the workforce align with the operational needs of the city.

His comments reflected a growing frustration among residents and officials alike regarding the lack of effective service delivery.

“The mess we have and the qualifications that are there are not correlating. We have highly qualified people in the city, but the performance is dismal,” he said.

“I am sensing there are some fake degrees. We need meticulous verification of some individuals’ qualifications.”

Clr Mafume’s concerns were reaffirmed by Clr George Mujajati, chair of the human resources and general purposes committee.

He said a thorough review of staff skills and placements could reveal inefficiencies and enhance the city’s capacity to fulfil its responsibilities.

“The issue is not just about degrees. We also need to verify even Ordinary Level certificates, as we are concerned about the performance of some individuals,” said Clr Mujajati.

In addition to the skills audit, the council addressed other pressing issues during the meeting, including noise pollution from entertainment venues.

Clr Happymore Gotora reported numerous complaints from residents disturbed by excessive noise levels.

The council resolved to take immediate action by directing relevant departments to enforce existing bylaws and regulations concerning noise control.

Clr Mafume acknowledged the importance of entertainment in urban life but stressed that it must be managed responsibly.

He proposed the idea of designating a specific street for entertainment activities, citing successful models from other countries that balance nightlife with residential peace.

Another significant concern raised at the meeting was the issue of stray and aggressive dogs.

Many residents reported attacks in their neighbourhoods, prompting discussions on the city’s regulatory framework for dog ownership.

The Harare City Council Dogs Act, also known as the Dog Licencing and Control By-Laws, provides guidelines for dog ownership, but enforcement has been inconsistent.

Clr Mafume and council members recognised the need for immediate measures to address public safety related to stray dogs, urging stricter enforcement of existing laws to protect residents.