We need a strong broom at Town House

I don't know why people want to mix politics and development when arguing with facts we should learn to be objective and buy in good ideas, emulate the best that others have done. There is no reason for us to protect corruption at the expense of service delivery. I'm not worried about which party will take the mayoral seat, or who will grab the seat, but I think we need to safeguard the integrity of town house and we need to raise our standards as a city. Remember Harare is the center of attraction for tourism and other critical economic sectors such as production, mining and tourism as well, so we must keep the city shining.

This issue of politicizing the town house should be criticized. I'm left wondering whether some few notable guys in Government are for the idea of development or they want to always undermine the importance of development. I also propose that the minister of Local Government should be a competent person who must have a clean record and also a person of integrity. It is very painful to note that there is rampant corruption in all councils country wide and it is my desire to see these as a passing phase. Well I admire three guys, namely Manyenyeni, Muchadeyi Masunda and Mudzuri. These guys can make strong and competent politicians if given a chance. I was very impressed especially during Mudzuri's time; he made a name, unfortunately because of Chombo who has a track record of frustrating the opposition, his term was cut short.

Mudzuri is a well-respected engineer and he has a good track record. Muchadeyi Masunda is also a good guy who worked hard and he had also few challenges at Town House. The current Mayor Manyenyeni has done very well, in fact extremely well but unfortunately he had some few stumbling blocks. I always repeat those MDC guys who negotiated for a new charter sold out big time because; some of the clauses which were inserted were not good for the country. So far it is two years now we don't have a town clerk in Harare. There is a need for a strong broom at town house in Harare. I'm advocating for total overhaul at Harare town house.

This is very important for the city and country at large. There have been recent reports about councilors involved in heavy corruption and most of them were lured in serious lucrative deals. I still insist it is time to show all the councilors the exit door and we need new ideas and new initiatives. It is very important to bring development. We don't vote for people to enrich themselves but we vote for people so that they can enhance development. Like I said previously I'm not shunning the door to go to town house but I will not lose sleep because I have not been given a slot, what is important is to drive development and bring real change at town house. I'm of the view that the requirement for a councilor should be a first degree in the following areas, development, business studies, accounts, urban planning, marketing, procurement and also human resources.

It is high time all councilors regardless of their political affiliations they should emulate what other countries have done. It is very shocking to find some councilors who went to town house with nothing they are owning three to four houses in northern suburbs of Harare. It is very important to engage leaders than confrontational.

That is why you saw Manyenyeni surviving. Most councilors don't have this one. Despite one being your enemy be accommodative in nature, don't be emotional. I don't know where we can buy that broom but it is very important that we import a good broom so that we can have a clean sweep at town house. If Manyenyeni decide to re-contest the Mayoral seat it is up to him but he can be a good leader in other strategic political positions, he is a responsible man and he knows what he is doing, the only problem he is facing is that he is facing political pressure. For the past 10 years there was slow progress of development at town house and here are the following issues that town house is facing :

1.    Lack of control – no one is in charge. No clear responsibility.
2.    Lack of resources
3.    Lack of technical expertise
4.    Resource allocation
5.    Competence, capacity and expertise
6.    Lack of capacity
7.    Infrastructural backlog
8.    Lack of transparency
9.    Toxic politics

Political interference
MDC has of late been dominant in all towns and they should use this opportunity to field competent people at town house and use their political influence to make right and correct decisions. Council has an income of 12-13 million a month and their expenditure is 10 million so what is the problem? Here are the problems; there is need for council to come up with good initiatives outside expenditure rules, projects and initiatives for fundraising council salaries and other supplementary projects to sustain the wage problem at town house and other resolutions.

You can't stick to 10 million expenditure, come up with business ideas to expand council. There is also need to cut the wage bill by retrenching workers. Previous councils were employing their own guys and puppets who don't have the necessary human resource expertise to run some other areas. For now we need a mayor with a master's degree. Let's hope all parties will field candidates with high competence.
 
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Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of Southern Institute of Policy Analysis and Research – SIPAR TRUST, which is responsible for policy Analysis and Research. He is also an academic and researcher. He holds a BA, M.A from Solusi University, and he also holds a Masters of Development Studies from University of Lusaka, Zambia. He is currently enrolled at University of Kwazulu Natal University in South Africa. He can be contacted at southerninstitutepar@gmail.com