By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — City of Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has appointed Chamber Secretary Advocate Warren Sean Chiwawa as Acting Town Clerk for the City of Harare with immediate effect pending the appointment of a substantive office holder.
In a statement issued on Monday, the City of Harare said the appointment was made in terms of Section 137(2) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15].
“His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Jacob Mafume has, in terms of Section 137 (2) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] appointed Chamber Secretary Advocate Warren Sean Chiwawa as the Acting Town Clerk for the City of Harare with effect from today, Monday 11th May 2026 until a substantive Town Clerk is appointed,” council said.
The appointment formalises a transition that had effectively already begun following Chiwawa’s recent confirmation as substantive chamber secretary at Town House.
Under Section 137(2) of the Urban Councils Act, the chamber secretary assumes the functions of the town clerk whenever the office is vacant, or when the town clerk is absent, incapacitated or unable to act.
The law states: “Whenever the office of town clerk is vacant or the town clerk is absent or incapacitated or fails to act, the chamber secretary shall perform the functions conferred or imposed upon the town clerk by this Act or any other law or by any resolution of the council.”
Chiwawa had served in an acting capacity since 2021 before being confirmed as substantive chamber secretary last week.
Council officials said the appointment was expected to improve administrative continuity after years of instability in the town clerk’s office.
During his tenure at Town House, Chiwawa has been credited with spearheading several modernisation initiatives, including the adoption of a Local Authority Digital System designed to improve records management and support virtual council meetings.
In 2025, he also played a role in the rollout of an automated traffic enforcement system targeting road safety and compliance at major intersections across Harare.
His work has also attracted recognition outside local government circles.
In 2024, Chiwawa received a gold award for Outstanding Local Authority Legal Leader of the Year from the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network in recognition of his contribution to local governance and legal practice.
A lawyer by profession, Chiwawa previously worked in the Attorney General’s Office as a senior law officer responsible for legislative drafting before joining the cotton industry as a legal adviser.
He later joined Harare City Council, where he rose through the ranks from senior legal officer to chief legal officer and eventually acting chamber secretary.
The town clerk’s office has remained vacant since the departure of Hosiah Chisango in 2024 following his suspension over allegations linked to the awarding of a street lighting tender to a blacklisted company and the extension of his contract without council approval.
The office has experienced recurring leadership turmoil since the departure of Josephine Ncube in 2018.
After Ncube’s exit, Charles Kandemiri served in an acting capacity before his arrest and suspension in 2021.
He was later sentenced to six years in prison in 2023 for attempting to sell Mount Pleasant Golf Club and Golf Course.
Council officials said Chiwawa’s appointment was expected to restore confidence in executive decision-making, strengthen governance systems and reinforce accountability at Town House.
