News / National
Mafume's 'house' turns out to be vehicle auction site
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A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Greendale, Harare, as the Justice Maphios Cheda-led Commission of Inquiry temporarily adjourned Mayor Jacob Mafume's testimony to conduct an onsite inspection at a property he had earlier claimed to be his residence.
The property, located at 1110 Coronation Road, had been presented by Mayor Mafume as his home during the ongoing public hearings. However, after a thorough inspection, the Commission uncovered a surprising revelation: the property is not a residential area, as initially stated by the Mayor, but a vehicle auction site.
Upon discovering the discrepancy, Judge Maphios Cheda immediately instructed the Mayor to provide a formal explanation at a later time. Despite attempts by Mafume to clarify the situation, claiming it was an honest mistake and that his actual residence was two blocks away from the initial address, the Commission insisted on completing the inspection to verify the facts.
Judge Cheda was firm, rejecting Mafume's revised explanation, and emphasized that it was crucial to ensure the accuracy of the Mayor's claims under oath.
The Commission's decision to conduct the inspection in loco, with a convoy that included journalists and the full inquiry bench, added to the tension of the situation. After the inspection, the convoy was seen heading back to the Disaster Management Centre, where the public hearings are being held, with journalists eager to follow the next developments.
The incident has raised further questions about the credibility of public officials and their transparency in dealing with the Commission's inquiries. The inquiry is expected to continue as the Commission seeks to uncover more details regarding the operations at the Harare City Council, with Mafume's testimony now under greater scrutiny.
The property, located at 1110 Coronation Road, had been presented by Mayor Mafume as his home during the ongoing public hearings. However, after a thorough inspection, the Commission uncovered a surprising revelation: the property is not a residential area, as initially stated by the Mayor, but a vehicle auction site.
Upon discovering the discrepancy, Judge Maphios Cheda immediately instructed the Mayor to provide a formal explanation at a later time. Despite attempts by Mafume to clarify the situation, claiming it was an honest mistake and that his actual residence was two blocks away from the initial address, the Commission insisted on completing the inspection to verify the facts.
The Commission's decision to conduct the inspection in loco, with a convoy that included journalists and the full inquiry bench, added to the tension of the situation. After the inspection, the convoy was seen heading back to the Disaster Management Centre, where the public hearings are being held, with journalists eager to follow the next developments.
The incident has raised further questions about the credibility of public officials and their transparency in dealing with the Commission's inquiries. The inquiry is expected to continue as the Commission seeks to uncover more details regarding the operations at the Harare City Council, with Mafume's testimony now under greater scrutiny.
Source - the herald
