KEY POINTS
- Chamisa accuses CCC councillors of rejecting anti-corruption efforts.
- The Urban Councils Act shields councillors from accountability, Chamisa says.
- Call for reform in Zimbabwe’s local governance to prevent corruption.
Nelson Chamisa, former leader of Zimbabwe’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has criticized the party’s elected councillors for rejecting an anti-corruption blueprint intended to increase transparency and accountability in local authorities.
Speaking before the Commission of Inquiry on governance at the City of Harare (CoH), Chamisa expressed frustration with the Urban Councils Act, claiming it allows councillors to evade accountability.
According to him, the legislation shields elected officials from being held responsible for corruption and unethical practices.
“In terms of the Urban Councils Act, there is nowhere individual citizens can actually have authority over the processes of council because council is a creature of statutes and council is a product of law,” Chamisa stated during his testimony.
He further explained that while CCC had attempted to establish an “integrity and accountability panel” to monitor councillors, the effort was thwarted by legal technicalities.
“They said, in terms of the law, there is no way the party can take us to account on anything because we are not governed by party, we are governed by the electorate and the statutes,” Chamisa added.
Urban Councils Act under scrutiny for enabling corruption loopholes
The Urban Councils Act has come under increased scrutiny, with critics like Chamisa arguing that it creates a loophole for local government officials to act without accountability.
The Act defines the powers and responsibilities of local authorities in Zimbabwe but is seen by many as ineffective in curbing corruption at the municipal level.
Chamisa claims that councillors “go rogue” once elected, often ignoring the party’s principles and working against the public interest.
According to New Zimbabwe, he emphasized that the Act allows councillors to prioritize personal gain over the community’s needs, a move that has drawn criticism from citizens and party stakeholders alike.
The issue of corruption within Zimbabwe’s local authorities has been a long-standing problem. President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently established a probe team, led by retired Justice Maphios Cheda, to investigate allegations of corruption in Harare.
Several CCC councillors are reportedly involved in underhanded activities related to land allocations, a practice that has triggered widespread public outcry.
Calls grow for stronger oversight of local government officials
Chamisa expressed dismay over the conduct of CCC councillors, describing their behavior as reckless once they assumed office.
“What bleeds my heart is that each time councillors are elected on a party ticket, the moment they go into council, they go bonkers, run amok, throw away all dictates of reason, throw away all dictates of allegiance and loyalty to the party,” Chamisa lamented.
His remarks highlight the growing demand for reform in the management of Zimbabwe’s local authorities. Critics argue that stronger oversight mechanisms must be established to ensure councillors uphold integrity and remain accountable to the communities they serve.
