Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume is being scrutinized by a corruption inquiry commission after providing conflicting information about his residential address, casting doubt on his testimony.
The mayor initially told the commission he lived in Belvedere before changing his statement to claim residence at 110 Coronation Road in Greendale. Commission officials' on-site inspection revealed that the address housed a garage belonging to Peter Pfukwa.
When confronted with this discrepancy, Mafume amended his statement again, citing 102 Coronation Road as his correct address. He attributed the confusion to a recent relocation prompted by renovations at his Belvedere property. The commission declined to verify this latest address.
Retired judge Maphios Cheda, who heads the commission, addressed Mafume's inconsistent testimony on Wednesday. "The evidence you gave about your residence was misleading," Cheda said, adding that Mafume would have an opportunity to make corrections or comments as part of his democratic rights.
The commission's intense focus on Mafume's residence stems from allegations made by a City of Harare official. The official accused Mafume of accepting a US$200,000 bribe from Quill Associates, a company that supplied accounting software to the municipality in 2019. According to the informant, Mafume used these funds to purchase a property at 9 Sky Master in Belvedere.
Media investigations at the Belvedere address confirmed ongoing construction activity. Reports indicate Mafume plans to transform the property into student accommodation, with new units under development.
The mayor initially told the commission he lived in Belvedere before changing his statement to claim residence at 110 Coronation Road in Greendale. Commission officials' on-site inspection revealed that the address housed a garage belonging to Peter Pfukwa.
When confronted with this discrepancy, Mafume amended his statement again, citing 102 Coronation Road as his correct address. He attributed the confusion to a recent relocation prompted by renovations at his Belvedere property. The commission declined to verify this latest address.
Retired judge Maphios Cheda, who heads the commission, addressed Mafume's inconsistent testimony on Wednesday. "The evidence you gave about your residence was misleading," Cheda said, adding that Mafume would have an opportunity to make corrections or comments as part of his democratic rights.
The commission's intense focus on Mafume's residence stems from allegations made by a City of Harare official. The official accused Mafume of accepting a US$200,000 bribe from Quill Associates, a company that supplied accounting software to the municipality in 2019. According to the informant, Mafume used these funds to purchase a property at 9 Sky Master in Belvedere.
Media investigations at the Belvedere address confirmed ongoing construction activity. Reports indicate Mafume plans to transform the property into student accommodation, with new units under development.
