By Staff Reporter
HARARE — The City of Harare has formally appointed Warren Chiwawa as its substantive chamber secretary, filling a position that has been vacant for eight years.
The appointment was confirmed by the Local Government Board in a letter dated February 2, 2026, with board chairperson Stephen Chakaipa stating that Chiwawa stood out among several candidates following interviews held last year.
In terms of Section 123(e) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15], read together with Sections 133 and 135, the board
authorised the appointment to take effect within 90 days of the notification.
Chiwawa, who has been serving in an acting capacity since 2021, now assumes the role on a substantive basis, a development that council officials said is expected to bring greater stability and reinforce corporate governance at Town House.
Before his confirmation, Chiwawa had already been credited with several constructive initiatives and contributions at the council.
As acting chamber secretary, he championed the adoption of a Local Authority Digital System aimed at improving administrative efficiency through integrated electronic records and virtual meeting capabilities, a move designed to modernise the council’s operations and ease of doing business.
In 2025, Chiwawa was involved in the rollout of an automated traffic enforcement system targeting road safety and compliance in Harare’s busy intersections, emphasising the need for accountability among motorists.
His leadership was also recognised beyond the council when he received a gold award for Outstanding Local Authority Legal Leader of the Year from the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network in 2024, honouring his performance and contributions to local governance and legal practice.
Chiwawa’s professional background extends beyond municipal administration.
A lawyer by training, he has served in the Attorney General’s Office as a senior law officer responsible for legislative drafting and worked as a legal adviser in the cotton industry before joining Harare City Council.
Over the past decade, he rose through the ranks at Town House, from senior legal officer to chief legal officer and then acting chamber secretary.
Council officials say Chiwawa’s substantive appointment brings long-awaited leadership certainty to the chamber secretary’s office at a time when the authority seeks to strengthen governance and service delivery.
