Harare yet to audit its books since 2022

The Harare City Council has not audited its financial books since 2022, exposing major governance gaps and raising fresh concerns over accountability in the management of public funds.

Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume confirmed the backlog, revealing that accounts for 2023, 2024 and 2025 remain outstanding. The delay leaves residents, government and stakeholders without a clear picture of the city's financial position during a period marked by deteriorating service delivery and growing infrastructure demands.

"I believe there are no excuses for not conducting orderly and timeous audits," Mafume said, adding that he would urgently engage both external auditors and the council's internal audit department to establish firm timelines for completion.

The audit backlog comes as the local authority continues to struggle with weaknesses in its revenue management systems. In 2023, council was directed to migrate to a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to improve billing efficiency and strengthen internal controls.

However, delays forced the city to continue using the outdated BIQ-era platform, which has been widely criticised for poor safeguards and vulnerability to abuse.

The system has been linked to alleged manipulation by so-called "super users," with reports indicating that at least ZiG2 million may have been lost. No arrests had been made as of yesterday.

In response, the council last year contracted Quill Associates to implement a new ERP system aimed at replacing the BIQ platform. The upgraded system is expected to enhance transparency, improve record-keeping and accelerate the audit process.

Findings by the Auditor-General of Zimbabwe have previously highlighted the need for an integrated financial management system to curb leakages and restore accountability.

Council is expected to begin operating under the new platform this year as part of broader reforms to modernise billing, accounting and administrative functions.

Mafume said restoring order in council finances is critical to improving service delivery, particularly in key areas such as water provision.

The audit delays, combined with ongoing financial management challenges, are likely to intensify scrutiny on Town House as residents continue to demand better services and greater transparency over how their rates and charges are being used.