*Justice Cheda Commission Recommends Urgent Action Against Harare City Council Corruption* *By Abel Karowangoro* *Hurumende News Hub* The Commission of Inquiry into the governance of the Harare City Council has recommended a raft of urgent measures to restore order, accountability, and efficiency at the beleaguered local authority, including the removal of councillors and senior executives implicated in corruption. Led by retired judge Justice Maphios Cheda, the Commission formally presented its final report to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House yesterday, marking the culmination of months of investigative work into alleged mismanagement, corporate governance failures, and financial improprieties at Town House. *Follow Our Channel:* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaX77yH5fM5bBLKuyp1O Justice Cheda, in handing over the report, outlined several key recommendations aimed at reversing the systemic collapse of service delivery in Zimbabwe’s capital. “The Commission has found widespread rot in the operations of Harare City Council and recommends the immediate removal of councillors and rogue executives who were complicit in looting public resources,” said Justice Cheda. He further urged the recovery of stolen funds and assets and the prosecution of individuals involved in corrupt activities, noting that a culture of impunity had enabled the mismanagement to persist over several years. To modernise council operations and curb leakages, the Commission called for the installation of a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) management system, which would enhance transparency in procurement, financial reporting, and service delivery. In light of the Commission’s findings, Justice Cheda urged President Mnangagwa to exercise his executive powers and allow the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to act decisively in restoring order and legality in Harare’s governance structures. “This is not just a Harare issue. We recommend the extension of the Commission’s work to other cities, including Bulawayo, where similar patterns of maladministration may be occurring,” he said. --- *Background of the Commission* The Commission was appointed by President Mnangagwa in 2024 to investigate widespread complaints over the state of governance in Harare City Council since 2017. Comprising legal, financial, and urban planning experts, the Commission conducted public hearings, reviewed council records, and received submissions from residents and former council employees. Among the concerns examined were illegal land allocations, poor financial controls, politicisation of council operations, and the general collapse of infrastructure and waste management systems. Residents across Harare had expressed frustration over mounting garbage, water shortages, and the emergence of unplanned settlements, all symptoms of administrative failure. *Presidential Response Expected* President Mnangagwa, who received the report with visible concern, is expected to study the findings and consult with relevant ministries before announcing concrete steps. Sources close to the process suggest that significant changes in the leadership and administrative frameworks at Harare City Council are imminent. With the report now in his hands, the nation watches closely to see if Harare — once touted as the Sunshine City — will finally emerge from its current crisis. More updates to follow as the situation develops.