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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Government is concerned with the delay by the Local Government Board (LGB) to appoint a substantive town clerk for Harare City Council or making any other decision on the three candidates shortlisted for the position by the local authority, a senior official in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has said.

It is now almost a month after council sent names of three successful candidates for the position of town clerk to the board for consideration but it is still to make a decision.

Harare has failed to fill the position over 30 months owing to various reasons which also include the LGB with residents arguing it affects the running of the local authority.

Principal director (urban local authorities) Ms Erica Jones said that her ministry was also concerned with the delay.
“We do not get involved with matters concerning the Local Government Board. We are concerned (with the delay) but you have to balance independence and autonomy,” she said.

The LGB board leadership was not reachable for comment.
Former Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni has in the past demanded to know who constitutes the LGB, but the board refused to provide the information, instead directing his enquiries to Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo.

Clr Manyenyeni who is still the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe chair maintained his stance saying the LGB was virtually unknown and appears to be only applicable for blocking Harare town clerk options.

“What else do they do. Who are its board members, is it properly constituted, who pays them, how much. Who is the UCAZ representative on LGB who appointed him, when. LGB has the potential to do more things differently to raise the profile and performance of municipalities,” he said.

“It needs new energy, fresh thrust and acceptability. The mandate is huge enough to explore.”
In the latest round of interview acting town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango scored 1 052 points, former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) finance director Mr Robert Mangwiro 903 points and a University of Zimbabwe lecturer Mr Eugine Makaya managed 852 points.

Harare has not had a town clerk since 2015 after the former incumbent Tendai Mahachi was forced out amid pressure from residents and councillors.

In 2016 council appointed former banker Mr James Mushore to the coveted position but he was suspended by former Minister Saviour Kasukuwere who argued his appointment flouted laid down procedures.

Council then conducted fresh interviews, where top MDC-T official and former Cabinet minister Dr Tapiwa Mashakada came up tops, but the Local Government Board did not approve the three short-listed candidates.