Zimpapers Logo

Trust Freddy and Remember Deketeke

HARARE town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango was yesterday barred from Town House after attempting to sneak into a full council meeting despite being informed of his suspension from duty which prohibited him from entering council premises .

There was a brief interruption of proceedings when Eng Chisango walked into council chambers after which Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume whispered something to him and led him out of the meeting.

Eng Chisango was suspended with effect from September 20, 2024, over a series of allegations, including the US$9,2 million street lights scandal that has already sucked in four other council officials who are awaiting trial.

The embattled Town Clerk, who was granted US$500 bail by the High Court two weeks ago pending trial on charges of criminal abuse of duty over the street lighting tender scam, was suspended with pay and benefits.

He allegedly acted in connivance with four other officials and awarded a street lights tender worth over US$9,2 million to Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, a company owned by businessman Moses Mpofu, without following due process.

Other allegations leading to his suspension include the illegal extension of his contract, which expired in July last year.

Clr Mafume yesterday confirmed that Eng Chisango was on suspension pending the outcome of charges that have been levelled against him.

The Herald is in possession of the suspension letter which was signed by the mayor.

“This letter serves to inform you that on the basis of the grounds stated below you are hereby suspended from all your duties as the Town Clerk with effect from the 20th of September 2024 in terms of Section 6 (1) of Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006 as read with Section 139(3)(a) of the Urban Council’s Act (Chapter 29:15),” reads part of the letter.

“The employer has good cause for believing that you have committed serious misconduct in that you contravened Section 4(a) of the National Code ie. SI 15 of 2006 otherwise known as ‘Any act of conduct or omission inconsistent with the fulfilment of the express or implied conditions of his or her contract.”

Clr Mafume cited the US$9,2 million street lights scandal as the major reason for Eng Chisango’s suspension.

“You misconducted yourself in the procurement and award of a tender for street lighting to Jukula Enterprises in that you awarded the contract to a blacklisted company which had a record of breaching its tender obligations. Or that you awarded a tender to a company owned by proprietors of blacklisted companies thereby exposing council to potential financial losses. In doing so you failed one of your primary functions as the accounting officer which is to protect council’s interests,” he said.

The Mayor also accused Eng Chisango of incompetence, saying he had generally mishandled procurement and tender processes leading to several court challenges that had attracted negative publicity.

“As the accounting officer, you have failed to secure an effective Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) Software and System support for the management of the council’s billing and accounting systems for about 5 years.

“This has resulted in the failure to carry out statutory audits, to obtain timeous budget approvals and has also led to adverse reports by the Auditor General.”

Eng Chisango was also suspended for allegedly making unauthorised changes to the city council’s structure and personnel.

Specifically, he was accused of appointing senior officials to Grades 1, 2, and 3 without getting approval from the council or the Local Government Board.

During the period of his suspension, he shall not be allowed to report for duty, enter any of the employer’s premises and or purport to act on behalf of the City of Harare anywhere.

Yesterday’s full council meeting turned into a heated session, with councillors trading accusations of exposing each other’s wrongdoings during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into council affairs.

The drama escalated when Acting Harare City Council Chamber Secretary Warren Chiwawa walked in during the proceedings after he was taken in for questioning by the police just before the meeting began.

Mr Chiwawa’s appearance before the full council sparked laughter, with some councillors whispering that it was becoming a trend for him to be summoned for questioning over corruption allegations.

Speaking to journalists soon after the meeting, Mr Chiwawa refuted earlier reports that he had been arrested, saying the police merely sought clarification on the establishment of the sports committee and needed some documents.