Political Reporter
Startling allegations of corruption, fraud, and mismanagement within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led Harare City Council (HCC) have come to light, painting a grim picture of the council's leadership.
The accusations have implicated Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and the formation of a company called Rufaro Marketing Pvt Ltd, which is meant to collect revenue from the council's properties.
The allegations suggest that funds collected through this company are being diverted for CCC political campaigns and personal use, all while crucial public services deteriorate.
In September 2022, Mayor Mafume reportedly unilaterally appointed a seven-member board to oversee Rufaro Marketing Pvt Ltd.
Shockingly; this board is accused of siphoning funds to finance political campaigns, specifically those related to opposition leader Chamisa's activities ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The board members, some of whom are reportedly CCC senior members, have been accused of unscrupulous activities that include fraudulent leases and embezzlement of funds.
The allegations centre around two key figures: Juma Ulete and Ngoni Chimbalu, who are responsible for collecting Rufaro Marketing's lease fees.
It is alleged that they have been diverting these funds to undisclosed purposes, including funding political activities and personal use.
Documents gleaned by this publication reveal that, despite receiving substantial amounts of money from tenants, there is little to no transparency about how these funds are being utilized.
A secret bank account, held at CBZ Mt Pleasant branch under swift code FMBZZWHX, is allegedly being used to deposit funds collected from Rufaro Marketing tenants.
This money is said to be withdrawn and channelled into CCC activities, further implicating senior members within the party.
Adding to the complexity of the situation are claims that CCC members leveraged their connections to fraudulently acquire leases for Rufaro Marketing properties.
This has resulted in double-issuance of leases, impacting legitimate tenants and leading to potential legal disputes.
Numerous properties, including bars and shopping centres, have allegedly fallen victim to this double-issuance scheme, casting doubt on the credibility and ethics of the involved parties.
In addition to these allegations, the board members reportedly approved substantial salaries for themselves, raising concerns about their motivations and priorities.
These hefty salaries, along with sitting allowances, have drawn attention away from the council's primary duty of ensuring effective service delivery to the citizens of Harare.
Meanwhile, the accusations of corruption and mismanagement have sparked outrage among the public, raising questions about the trustworthiness and integrity of CCC's leadership.
With crucial public services like garbage collection and clean water supply deteriorating, citizens are left disillusioned and disillusioned. Many are calling for accountability, transparency, and a renewed focus on serving the needs of the community.
As the upcoming elections approach, these allegations of corruption have cast a shadow over CCC's credibility and ability to lead.
