-query transparency in recent auction
Tendai Muererwa
Mutare – Before putting pen to paper on integrity pledges and performance contracts aimed at promoting accountability and ethical leadership, City of Mutare councillors were reminded of their responsibility to safeguard the interests of residents and ratepayers.
Yet only moments later, during the full council meeting, concerns emerged over whether those same principles are being upheld in the disposal of municipal assets, as councillors accused management of disregarding their recommendations during auction processes.
The debate unfolded after councillors raised alarm over the manner in which vehicles, equipment and other council property deemed surplus to requirements are being sold, arguing that elected officials are often sidelined despite being tasked with providing oversight on behalf of residents.
Leading the criticism was Ward 15 Councillor Sekai Cathrine Mukodza, who said councillors had previously inspected assets earmarked for disposal and made recommendations, only to discover that some items were sold despite their objections.
“At times, we feel our opinion does not matter at all. Last time we visited the place to see the items that were supposed to be sold, we gave our input, but as soon as we left the place, the items were sold against our advice,” said Cllr Mukodza.
Her remarks exposed growing frustrations among councillors, who believe the current system allows management to proceed with auctions without adequately considering the views of elected representatives.
The concerns come at a time when local authorities across Zimbabwe are under increasing pressure to strengthen governance systems and ensure greater accountability in the management of public resources.
Councillors argued that municipal assets belong to residents and ratepayers and that every disposal process should be conducted transparently to guarantee value for money and prevent any perception of mismanagement.
Ironically, the concerns were raised on the same day councillors and senior management signed Integrity Pledges and Performance Contracts in a ceremony presided over by Mayor Simon Chabuka.
Addressing the gathering before the council meeting, Mayor Chabuka called on councillors to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability and professionalism while serving the communities that elected them. “As a City, we want to maintain our position as one of the best-performing local authorities in the country. Let us work diligently to ensure that we effectively represent the aspirations and interests of the residents who entrusted us with this responsibility. At the end of the year, we will also recognise and reward top-performing councillors for their outstanding service,” he said.
The signing ceremony, attended by councillors, management and the media, marked the introduction of a system requiring all councillors and managers to commit themselves to integrity pledges and performance contracts as part of efforts to improve service delivery and promote ethical leadership.
However, the auction debate highlighted what some councillors described as a gap between policy commitments and operational practices. Responding to the concerns, Mayor Chabuka acknowledged that the existing framework governing asset disposal may require strengthening to ensure all stakeholders are in agreement before council property is sold.
“I think we need to amend the resolution made to this regard. It has to be clearly stated that before an auction, everything must be agreed,” he said. His remarks were welcomed by councillors who have been pushing for a review of auction procedures to guarantee that recommendations made during inspections are respected and formally incorporated into decision-making processes.
The matter is expected to remain under discussion as council considers possible amendments to existing resolutions governing the disposal of municipal assets.
For many residents, the debate goes beyond the sale of old vehicles and equipment. It touches on broader questions of transparency, accountability and whether public officials are living up to the commitments they make when entrusted with managing community resources.
