Harare water Director to exit

 The City of Harare has concluded negotiations with its Director of Water, Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, paving the way for his departure following a mutual agreement reached with council.

Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume announced the development during the 1948th Ordinary Council Meeting held at Town House on Thursday, describing Engineer Moyo as a dedicated public servant whose contribution to the city spanned many years.

Mafume said Moyo had continued serving the municipality on renewable contracts after reaching retirement age, reflecting the value council placed on his expertise and experience.

"He has been a very long and faithful servant of the city," Mafume said. "He was on contract since we were renewing every year, having reached retirement age. He is someone we valued very much, whom we kept renewing his contract."

The mayor said council would consider holding an appropriate event to honour Moyo's long service to the city.

"I think at one stage we will be able to do an appropriate function to mark his long years of service," he said.

Following the agreement, council will notify the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works as well as the Local Government Board before beginning the process of recruiting a substantive replacement for the position.

Mafume said the post falls under Grade Two employment, meaning the recruitment process requires approval from the relevant authorities.

"We shall notify Local Government of our conclusions, and we will commence the process of filling up that post as soon as we get the go-ahead from the Local Government Board," he said.

The mayor added that council was making progress in addressing senior management vacancies and had already engaged the Local Government Board on other outstanding staffing matters.

"We have already written a letter to the Local Government Board regarding the settlement we had with our former town clerk," Mafume said. "So things are moving seemingly well. We will conclude most of the vacancies we have not filled."

The departure of Engineer Moyo comes at a time when Harare continues to face significant water supply and infrastructure challenges, placing renewed focus on leadership within the city's water department as council prepares to appoint a successor.