via Harare City Council’s finance chair quits in protest | The Herald February 5, 2014 by Innocent Ruwende
Chairperson of Harare City Council’s finance committee, councillor Norman Markham, has resigned from his post over the non-disclosure of executive salaries and general unaccountability at Town House. In his resignation letter to mayor Mr Bernard Manyenyeni, Clr Markham said he was uncomfortable heading a finance committee that had no control over finances.
“It is with regret that I tender my resignation as chairman of the finance committee and indeed the committee itself. I cannot believe that anyone with any self-respect would chair the Harare City Council finance committee as it stands and runs today.
“For over six months we have been waiting for contracts for grade one to four employees. This scope, like all the grades is overstaffed for our resources, but the packages are extraordinary. This band alone accounts for nearly 10 percent of our wage bill. We have no control over contracts, benefits drawn,” read part of the letter.
Clr Markham said due to the huge workforce, he had suggested a three-day working week to reduce wages and free up more money for service delivery. He did not get any support on the matter.
The Helensvale, Borrowdale Brooke, Greystone Park, Kambanje and Glen Lorne councillor said the council executive was recruiting without council’s involvement adding that an area of particular irritation was the number of directors which stood at 14 before being trimmed.
“An amazing folly which I cannot accept is a budget of US$1,6 million to sponsor a football club in the current economic crisis. Yet Harare City Council cannot afford any support to its amenities and associated residents.
“I shudder at the water rehabilitation deal that has been signed in the deal. Information technology equipment is covered in this contract which I have not seen to the tune of over US$1 million. Yet in the HCC budget, we also had a similar budget placed for similar equipment,” he said.
The councillor said he did not have details of the deals in question.
Mr Manyenyeni confirmed the resignation, and said, “I respect his conscience. I have failed to persuade him to stay on. I share his frustration.”
Last week Mayor Manyenyeni suspended town clerk, Dr Tendai Mahachi for three months after he failed to provide the salary schedule of all senior council employees.
However, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo almost immediately re-instated the town clerk.
The suspension was effected to pave way for investigations into the city council’s financial management amid reports the city’s 18 directors were gobbling over US$500 000 in salaries monthly at a time service delivery has plummeted to levels where the municipality cannot even replace street light bulbs.
COMMENTS
Well done Mr Markham. Though I doubt your example will be followed by anybody else. The rest will concentrate on keeping their snouts in the trough and not rocking the boat.
Please Mr Mayor and your team may you also resign. Can’t you see that you are also failing the rate payers. Please do so before you get embarrassed, or you embarrass yourselves. Siyai vaChombo vamhanye nebhora vega. Ndyo bhora mughedizve iyi.
Keep on fighting for the residents. we support your efforts. Councillor Markham dont give up so easily because they feel victorious when youquit out of frustration. this is the year of the residents
if its the year of the residents then they must start a rates boycott now…
THATS WHAT WE DO HERE IN THE CIVILISED WORLD! WELL DONE SIR!ANY MORE SUCH PERSONS OF INTEGRITY! NOT THESE HYNENAS!( MY APOLOGIES TO THE ANIMALS NAMED)
Finally some one with guts. If Chombo forces through the reinstatement of the town clerk Mr Mayor I would suggest you do the same thing….
PLEASE MR MAYOR DO NOT RESIGN BECAUSE THESE ZANU PF DOGS HAVE GOT NO CONSCIENCE. THEY WANT YOU TO GO SO THAT THEY FORGE AHEAD WITH THEIR CRONIES AND RESIDENTS WILL SUFFER AS A RESULT. STAY PUT AND EMBARRASS CHOMBO WITH OUR HELP. PASI NE MBWA INONZI CHOMDO AND MUSATANYOKO WAMAI VAKO
Ben Manyenyeni, dont resign keep on doing the right thing. You are doing exeptionally well. Don’t do politics here just concentrate in saving our city. Don’t play in the hands of cruel people. You are one of the best leaders that the country needs today. We are behind you
One wonders what you would be doing in a situation where you get overruled even when you right. If the mayor does what Africanson says after Chombo overrules him then he becomes a laughing stock with no say in the running of the council. If this is what you want AFRICANSON then you are either lost or you want the mayor to be irrelevant.
Doctor I certainly hope the Mayor stays put, but you do have a very valid point. What is the use of a Manager that is not allowed to Manage? What is the use of a leader who is not allowed to lead? What is the use of a ruler who is not allowed to rule? What is the point? I also think that the MDC needs to change it,s strategy. As one said today why help Zanu when they will never acknowledge you. Already they are accusing Biti of misusing funds after the sterling job he done. Africanson the Doctor used the word IF..
Well Mr Mayor I say hold on to your job. Jobs are hard to get. Those that say stay are right. If you resign your family will suffer. WHY SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT WEATHER YOU ARE RELEVANT OR NOT. YOU ARE THE MAYOR.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo must be the most powerful person in the country. He alone can override any elected mayor in any city in Zimbabwe. Why hold elections for city mayors then, if Chombo can just get into any council and in effect make binding,unchecked decisions. This is a guy who touts a Western Education, a PHD. Seriously folks, Zanu PF is full of Jocksters.