US$4.5 million mysteriously disappeared from Harare City Council

More than US$4.5 million has inexplicably vanished from the Harare City Council (HCC) through its subsidiary, Harare Quarry, sparking an investigation into rampant corruption within the local authority.

The missing funds were originally allocated in 2018 to revive the operations of Harare Quarry, but the money has disappeared without a traceable paper trail. This revelation came during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the HCC, led by retired Justice Maphios Cheda.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume disclosed the shocking details during his testimony on Thursday, stating bluntly, "The money was stolen." When asked by Justice Cheda who was responsible for the theft and what measures had been taken to investigate the missing funds, Mafume pointed the finger at the management of Harare Quarry.

"The management of Quarry. We resolved to get the Police involved," Mafume said. He further explained that the theft occurred under the previous council and management, before he was elected as mayor in 2018.

Harare Quarry, a subsidiary of the City Council, has reportedly become a center of corruption, with top officials allegedly exploiting it for personal financial gain. Despite its premises being leased to private companies, Harare Quarry has failed to remit funds back to the City Council, deepening the financial burden on the local authority.

Mafume expressed frustration over the loss of the US$4.5 million, revealing it as a source of ongoing tension with the previous management of the Quarry. "I am very passionate about that US$4 million because that US$4 million is the one that has caused us to have differences with the management that was there. I have pursued it in different Council meetings. I have taken the actions within my power," he said.

The mayor also suggested that Harare Quarry be placed under management or liquidation to mitigate the financial drain on the Council. "As of current, because the properties are being constantly attached, I have suggested that the entity be put under management or what we used to call liquidation," Mafume added.

The Harare City Council has had to step in to cover the debts owed by the Quarry in recent weeks.

Chamber Secretary Warren Chiwawa confirmed that the matter has been reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). "I had discussions with the Business Development manager, who confirmed that we indeed made a report after the matter came up in one of the committee meetings," Chiwawa said.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the truth behind the missing funds and hold those responsible accountable for the alleged corruption at Harare Quarry.