A Commission of Inquiry into Harare City Council affairs revealed Mayor Jacob Mafume provided false residential information during testimony. The commission discovered the discrepancy Tuesday after conducting an on-site inspection at 110 Coronation Road in Greendale, Harare.
Retired High Court Judge Maphios Cheda ordered the inspection after investigators questioned the accuracy of Mafume's residential claims. Upon arrival, the commission learned the property belonged to Mr. Pfukwa, not the mayor.
When confronted at the site, Mafume altered his earlier statement. "I made a mistake. When I called my wife, she told me it was 102 Coronation Road. I stand ready to take the Commission to my place. You can see a figure which is not visible," Mafume said.
Justice Cheda addressed the mayor directly about the false testimony. "After we inspected Stand Number 110, which you claimed as your residence, we found you do not stay there. You gave false information before the inquiry," he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa established the commission to examine council operations in 2017. Under Zimbabwean law, providing false information to a commission of inquiry constitutes a legal offense.
The investigation will resume on Thursday, and Mayor Mafume is scheduled to appear before the commission again. His testimony remains under heightened scrutiny following these revelations about his residential status.
Retired High Court Judge Maphios Cheda ordered the inspection after investigators questioned the accuracy of Mafume's residential claims. Upon arrival, the commission learned the property belonged to Mr. Pfukwa, not the mayor.
When confronted at the site, Mafume altered his earlier statement. "I made a mistake. When I called my wife, she told me it was 102 Coronation Road. I stand ready to take the Commission to my place. You can see a figure which is not visible," Mafume said.
Justice Cheda addressed the mayor directly about the false testimony. "After we inspected Stand Number 110, which you claimed as your residence, we found you do not stay there. You gave false information before the inquiry," he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa established the commission to examine council operations in 2017. Under Zimbabwean law, providing false information to a commission of inquiry constitutes a legal offense.
The investigation will resume on Thursday, and Mayor Mafume is scheduled to appear before the commission again. His testimony remains under heightened scrutiny following these revelations about his residential status.
