HCC middle managers sign performance contracts

Harare acting town clerk Warren Chiwawa has said performance contracts signed by middle managers will serve as daily tools for monitoring operations, identifying challenges early and improving service delivery across the capital.

Chiwawa made the remarks on Tuesday during the signing ceremony for 2026 performance contracts for middle managers, part of a broader accountability framework being rolled out within the City of Harare.

The latest round of signings follows earlier agreements concluded in March by mayors, town clerks and heads of departments, and is intended to strengthen coordination and efficiency across council operations.

Chiwawa said middle managers occupy a critical position in the municipal structure, acting as a bridge between senior leadership and frontline service delivery teams.

"These contracts are meant to be used daily to monitor teams, spot problems early and fix them before they grow," he said.

He added that performance would no longer be assessed only through formal reporting, but through tangible improvements in service delivery across the city.

"Success will not be measured by documents signed but by real, visible improvements in service delivery across Harare and by compliance with minimum service delivery standards," he said.

Chiwawa also emphasised that accountability would extend beyond senior management, noting that performance obligations now apply across all levels of council administration.

Mayor Jacob Mafume echoed the call for improved efficiency, urging managers to modernise systems and eliminate outdated administrative processes.

"You are the face of the city because you interact directly with residents and stakeholders, and that interaction must reflect a modern, efficient Harare," Mafume said.

He stressed the need for digitisation, including full implementation of the council's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and said manual processes should be phased out in line with global standards.

Mafume also confirmed that the rollout of prepaid water meters was underway and urged residents to cooperate with the programme as part of broader service delivery reforms.

The 2026 performance contracts are linked to statutory service delivery obligations under updated regulations, which define minimum standards for key municipal services including water provision, road maintenance, waste collection and public lighting.

Under the framework, failure to meet set targets could result in penalties directed by the Ministry of Local Government, ranging from warnings and administrative sanctions to more severe measures in cases of persistent non-compliance.

Council officials say the reforms are aimed at embedding accountability at every level of the organisation and improving the reliability of basic services in the capital.