By Takudzwa Changadeya
Harare – The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has called for urgent governance reforms to address deep-rooted accountability challenges in local authorities.
The push for reform comes after Nelson Chamisa, former leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), admitted that opposition parties struggle to control “corrupt” councillors who deviate from party principles once elected.
Chamisa, testifying before the Commission of Inquiry into Harare City Council’s operations since 2017, revealed that opposition parties lack the legal authority to discipline councillors governed by the Urban Councils Act and other statutes.
During his tenure as MDC Alliance leader, Chamisa said the party had attempted to establish an Integrity and Accountability Panel (IAP) to curb corruption. However, councillors resisted the initiative, arguing they were bound by statutory laws, not party directives.
Chamisa’s acknowledgment of his inability to control CCC councillors has fueled criticism about his leadership and the opposition’s capacity to govern effectively.
Speaking on the issue, CHRA Director Reuben Akili contradicted Chamisa, arguing that political parties wield excessive control over councillors elected on their tickets.
Akili emphasized that this dominance undermines accountability and called for governance reforms to reduce political interference in local governance.
According to him, the current system prioritizes party loyalty over public service, weakening the accountability mechanisms necessary for effective local administration.
“Over the past five years, internal fights within the main opposition party have weakened accountability.
“Those with the power to recall elected officials have become too powerful, to the point where councilors are more accountable to these individuals than to the residents who elected them,” said Akili.
He argued that political parties now hold more sway than voters, creating a system that compromises democratic principles.
“Ideally, recalls should involve both the political party and the endorsement of residents, but this is not happening.
“Councilors align themselves with party leaders out of fear of being recalled, instead of prioritizing accountability to the public,” said Akili.
He also highlighted historical mismanagement and corruption as evidence of Harare’s long-standing governance crisis.
“Blaming newly elected officials alone would be unfair, as some problems, such as the Pomona decision made by a previous council, continue to haunt us today,” he noted.
Akili criticized the constitutional provision allowing political parties to recall officials, saying it undermines residents’ ability to hold their leaders accountable.
“Currently, the constitutional provision allowing political parties to recall officials has weakened the ability of residents to hold their leaders accountable.
“This creates a system where elected officials prioritize pleasing their political parties over serving the people,” Akili explained.
To restore balance, he proposed aligning recall procedures with constitutional principles, ensuring that residents have the ultimate power over their representatives.
“Moving forward, we must reform the recall procedure and align our laws with the constitution.
“These reforms should ensure that residents, not political party leaders, have the ultimate power over their elected representatives,” he stated.
The call for governance reforms highlights a growing demand for stronger accountability and democratic governance in Harare City Council.
