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NewsDay

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‘Stand-off derails Harare projects’

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The current stand-off between Harare City Council and government on who should be the town clerk has derailed a number of critical projects including the payment of salaries, suspended mayor Bernard Manyenyeni has said.

The current stand-off between Harare City Council and government on who should be the town clerk has derailed a number of critical projects including the payment of salaries, suspended mayor Bernard Manyenyeni has said.

BY XOLISANI NCUBE

“The developments at City of Harare have slowed down a few key projects running into millions of dollars and the crisis has attracted international attention. It confirms Harare is actually an important city,” Manyenyeni said yesterday.

Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere suspended Manyenyeni recently after he had hired ex-banker James Mushore as the town clerk against the wishes of government.

The impasse, according to Manyenyeni, has disrupted operations at Town House and caused divisions among councillors.

Manyenyeni said among the projects affected by the stand-off was a water deal with a French company, Veolia Water Solution, and another one with Zesa which was aimed at improving revenue collection.

“We now run the risk of being an ungovernable city because of all of this. Council is dysfunctional in many ways. You would also appreciate the slowdown of things at UCAZ (Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe) where I am the president and even the whole fiasco at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair UCAZ executive meeting. There are certain things you don’t do to destabilise your capital city in a normal country. But this is Zimbabwe by the way,” Manyenyeni.

Manyenyeni has since taken Kasukuwere to the High court challenging his suspension.

His deputy, Chris Mbanga, took over in an acting capacity and has refused to recognise Mushore as the town clerk.