Councillors outraged by directive to allocate stands to MPs

Harare City councillors have expressed outrage over a ministerial directive requiring the allocation of 30 low-density residential stands to Members of Parliament, arguing the move prioritises personal gain over public interest.

The directive, contained in a September 12, 2025 letter from Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe to Mayor Jacob Mafume, requested that the council provide stands in northern suburbs for the MPs' Residential Stands Scheme. The ministry offered to later transfer urban land of "equal value" to the council and set a September 19 deadline for compliance.

Councillors condemned the directive, stating it undermines the principle of public service. Ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore said, "MPs represent people, not themselves. This sets a bad precedent when elected officials prioritise personal gain over residents' interests." He also questioned allocating low-density stands to MPs from high-density or rural constituencies, noting it violates council housing policy and procedures.

In a related development, Mayor Mafume announced the full implementation of the city's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which he said will curb corruption. "The long-resisted ERP, which council officials used to facilitate their looting, is now fully operational. Shady deals will be exposed going forward," Mafume said.

The ERP system is designed to manage council operations and core business, addressing accounting irregularities highlighted in successive Auditor-General reports.