A sum of US$4.5 million went missing from the Harare City Council through its Harare Quarry business arm. This discovery was made during an official investigation into the council's work.
The City Council gave this money to Harare Quarry in 2018 to help the business run better. The funds disappeared without any papers showing where they went.
Mayor Jacob Mafume told Justice Maphios Cheda and his team about this surprising loss. "The money was stolen," Mafume said clearly.
When Justice Cheda asked who took the money and what steps they took to find it, Mafume pointed to the Quarry's leaders. He said they asked the Police to step in. This happened before the present council members were chosen. "We came in during 2018. I need to think about when they first gave out the money. I am not sure," he said.
The Harare Quarry has become a place where wrong things happen. High-up workers seem to use it for their own gain. The business lets other companies use its land but does not give any money back to the City Council.
Mafume agreed the company always needs money help. "I care deeply about that US$4 million. It made us fight with the past leaders. I brought it up in many Council talks. I did what I could," he said.
The problem has grown worse. The company keeps losing its things to people it owes money to. Mafume wants outside help to run the business, like putting it under new control. In recent weeks, the Council had to pay bills the Quarry could not pay.
Warren Chiwawa, who keeps the Council's records, said they told the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission about this. "I talked with our Business Growth manager. He said we did tell them after we talked about it in a meeting," Chiwawa said.
The City Council gave this money to Harare Quarry in 2018 to help the business run better. The funds disappeared without any papers showing where they went.
Mayor Jacob Mafume told Justice Maphios Cheda and his team about this surprising loss. "The money was stolen," Mafume said clearly.
When Justice Cheda asked who took the money and what steps they took to find it, Mafume pointed to the Quarry's leaders. He said they asked the Police to step in. This happened before the present council members were chosen. "We came in during 2018. I need to think about when they first gave out the money. I am not sure," he said.
The Harare Quarry has become a place where wrong things happen. High-up workers seem to use it for their own gain. The business lets other companies use its land but does not give any money back to the City Council.
Mafume agreed the company always needs money help. "I care deeply about that US$4 million. It made us fight with the past leaders. I brought it up in many Council talks. I did what I could," he said.
The problem has grown worse. The company keeps losing its things to people it owes money to. Mafume wants outside help to run the business, like putting it under new control. In recent weeks, the Council had to pay bills the Quarry could not pay.
Warren Chiwawa, who keeps the Council's records, said they told the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission about this. "I talked with our Business Growth manager. He said we did tell them after we talked about it in a meeting," Chiwawa said.
