Harare residents accuse Chombo of ‘lying’

By The NewsDay | Jun. 25, 2014 | 2 Min read

HARARE residents yesterday accused Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo of protecting town clerk Tendai Mahachi.

HARARE residents yesterday accused Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo of protecting town clerk Tendai Mahachi and blamed council officials of “lying” to senior government officials, including Vice-President Joice Mujuru on the water crisis in the capital.

MOSES MATENGA

Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) director Precious Shumba told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government chaired by Mutasa South MP Irene Zindi that Mahachi was in the habit of making controversial decisions and run to Chombo for protection. “The town clerk makes his decisions and goes to the minister who protects him,” Shumba said.

“We believe the minister is protecting the town clerk. “Most of the councillors do not understand the Urban Councils Act and their own responsibility and that creates a situation where the town clerk handholds the councillors and tells them what to do.”

On allegations that Mahachi had tampered with his birth records to extend his tenure of office, Shumba said public records in Ward 18, Borrowdale, where the town clerk is a registered voter showed that he was born in 1950, meaning he was 64 years old. “lt’s a matter of public concern, he is registered in ward 18, Borrowdale,” Shumba said.

“Details show he was born in November 1950, but papers we have from council shows that he was born in 1956, that is a criminal, only a criminal can have two dates of birth.

“They lied even to VP Mujuru that there was progress at Firle Waterworks yet there was nothing. I don’t know what powers Mahachi has, but they appear to be above anyone. “We are asking your committee to ask them to justify why they bought more vehicles than those required for the [Morton Jaffray Waterworks] project.

“We demand the loan agreement to be made public document, make it available to Parliament. “The rights of the residents can’t be achieved with an arrogant town clerk. When we call him for meetings and he comes, he is always in a hurry to go.”