Staff Reporter

Several Harare City councillors are reportedly losing confidence in Mayor Jacob Mafume, accusing him of failing to turn around the city’s fortunes since assuming office.

The councillors claim the city’s financial position has deteriorated under Mafume’s leadership, with city-owned businesses failing to generate profits while funds remain unaccounted for.

Last week, Mayor Mafume was grilled by a commission of inquiry chaired by retired Justice Maphios Cheda.

The inquiry highlighted the city’s dismal financial performance and questioned why Harare has not benefitted from its business ventures.

During the inquiry, it emerged that city-owned entities, such as Sunshine Holdings, Rufaro Marketing, Harare Quarry, and City Parking are operating at a loss, with allegations of financial mismanagement and missing funds.

A councillor who spoke to this publication said the city’s problems stem from “poor leadership” at the top.

“We are in a dire financial situation because Mayor Mafume has failed to provide the leadership needed to steer the city out of this crisis. Instead of accountability and action, we get excuses,” said the councillor who requested anonymity.

Another councillor, said the council had lost faith in Mafume’s ability to revive the city’s fortunes.

“It is unacceptable that entities owned by Harare City Council are not generating profits while the city struggles with service delivery. We have raised these issues, but there is no tangible action or improvement from the mayor's office,” another councillor said.

A female councillor also expressed frustration.

“The commission of inquiry revealed glaring gaps in oversight and governance. As councillors, we feel let down by the mayor’s failure to ensure transparency and efficiency. The lack of accountability is alarming, and it’s time serious steps were taken to address this,” fumed the female councillor.

The councillors’ comments come amid growing public dissatisfaction over Harare’s deteriorating infrastructure, erratic water supply, and inconsistent waste collection services.

They argue that the mismanagement of city-owned businesses exacerbates these problems by depriving the city of much-needed revenue.

Meanwhile, the commission of inquiry’s findings have fuelled speculation that Mafume could face a vote of no confidence from the councillors.