The recent release of Harare’s Town Clerk has uncovered a web of corruption involving high-ranking officials and legal professionals, exposing the ongoing corruption undermining the city’s governance.

At the center of this scandal is the law firm Guwuriro and Associates, which played a key role in the Town Clerk’s release. The firm has a history of manipulating legal processes for their clients’ benefit, often at the expense of justice and transparency.

Vongai Guwuriro, the Acting Chief Magistrate and a key figure in securing favorable outcomes for her husband’s firm, has raised further concerns about judicial integrity. Guwuriro previously attempted to grant bail to the same Town Clerk, who had secured bail under suspicious circumstances in an earlier case, setting a troubling precedent.

Court records reveal that Town Clerk Chisango, as the Accounting Officer, fraudulently awarded a street lighting contract to Juluka after reducing the budget from $45 million to $15 million, narrowing down the bidders from four to just two. Despite these manipulations, the procurement authority PRAZ refused to endorse the deal. Chisango’s claim of ignorance, along with his lawyers’ defense, is seen as a weak excuse for his actions.

Key figures in the Town Clerk’s release include Public Prosecutor Mapfuwa and legal partner Vhiriri, who worked together to secure the controversial bail despite charges of criminal abuse of office, mismanagement, and embezzlement. Local councillor Abdurrahman Sapa (“Abdul”) also played a crucial role by leveraging his connections with the judiciary to facilitate the Town Clerk’s return to duty, in violation of bail conditions.

Reports suggest that a $50,000 bribe was paid to ensure the Town Clerk’s release, implicating several individuals in the bribery scheme. The lenient bail conditions, which only require the Town Clerk to report to the police once a month, have sparked outrage, as they allow him to resume work, potentially intimidating witnesses in his ongoing cases.

The preferential treatment given to the Town Clerk contrasts sharply with the denial of bail to other individuals implicated in the same scandal. Moreover, while a directive from the Ministry of Local Government states that council employees should not return to work until their court cases are resolved, Chisango and his associates continue to violate these rules. He has even publicly claimed to have the support of Zimbabwe’s President.

As the officer responsible for signing contracts, the Town Clerk’s actions raise serious concerns about accountability and justice. Harare residents deserve transparency from their officials, and the misuse of public funds must be addressed. The scandal has highlighted the deep-rooted corruption in Harare’s administration, and it is essential that all those involved are held accountable to restore trust in the city’s governance.

Delta Corporation Limited’s associated entities are expressing concern about the adverse effects of counterfeit and smuggled imported goods on their operations.

African Distillers (Afdis) has reported that its business is suffering due to illegal brews produced in informal settings and wines and ciders smuggled into Zimbabwe. This influx has notably hindered their volume growth, as consumer preferences shift towards these alternative products.

Similarly, Schweppes Zimbabwe, another Delta associate, has observed a rise in smuggled imports of its popular Mazoe Orange Crush from regional markets. Challenges such as the sugar tax and market access regulations have also negatively impacted the company’s volume performance.

The increase in smuggled and counterfeit goods is largely attributed to inadequate border controls. There have been allegations of complicity among some immigration officials and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) personnel in facilitating these illicit activities.

Despite existing laws and enforcement efforts, the market continues to be flooded with unauthorized products. The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has noted that some of these illicit products are manufactured locally in unregulated settings or smuggled through poorly guarded border points, leading consumers to choose cheaper, lower-quality options.

The situation has been worsened by foreign traders’ preference for US dollars, which has incentivized smuggling activities. Local businesses and SMEs are struggling with this unfair competition from goods that bypass formal import channels.

Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited reported a 12 percent decline in volume for the quarter, primarily due to significant price hikes from the sugar tax affecting their cordials. The company also faced challenges from informal imports of Mazoe Orange Crush and disruptions related to market access regulations, according to Delta’s company secretary, Faith Musinga.

Industry leaders suggest a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders and the private sector to tackle the issue. Despite these challenges, Schweppes Zimbabwe saw positive results in juice drinks and bottled water volumes following the installation of a new plant in October 2023.

Afdis also experienced a six percent growth in wine and cider volumes for the quarter compared to the previous year, despite the increased presence of informal imports and counterfeit products. Afdis reported a revenue of US$12.6 million for the first quarter ending June 30, 2024, maintaining consistency with the same period last year.

Managing Director Stanley Muchenje noted that revenue was affected by changes in sales mix and price adjustments made to maintain market share against both imported goods and local affordable spirits.

Looking ahead, Delta Corporation is focusing on leveraging anticipated economic growth driven by infrastructure projects, tourism, mining, and increased remittances from the diaspora to support future growth.

The Zimbabwean government has approved the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for 2024-2030, aiming to integrate climate considerations into all major sectors and economic pillars.

The plan addresses the unprecedented effects of climate change. This decision follows President Mnangagwa’s earlier declaration of a State of National Disaster due to severe droughts linked to El Niño, a phenomenon aggravated by climate change.

Climate change is already causing more frequent and severe weather events, including droughts, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. These changes are harming wildlife, destroying habitats, and disrupting communities and livelihoods.

Zimbabwe’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NCCAP) will strengthen the country’s ability to plan, integrate, implement, monitor, and assess adaptation strategies for climate change. It will serve as a foundational document for developing sector-specific plans.

Given the significant impact of climate variability and change, Zimbabwe, like many countries, needs a coordinated approach to manage the vulnerabilities and risks associated with extreme weather events.

Extreme weather patterns such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and storms threaten food security and hinder socio-economic development. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Disaster Prevention, and Management, stated that the plan provides guidance on integrating climate change into development planning from 2024 to 2030, with the goal of creating a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy.

Minister Garwe highlighted that climate hazards can disrupt agriculture, damage infrastructure, and destabilize economies, making it harder for communities to access food and sustain livelihoods. The NCCAP aims to address these issues by providing a framework for incorporating climate considerations into development planning.

The plan is informed by various existing government policies, including Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025), the National Climate Policy (2017), the Zimbabwe National Climate Change Response Strategy (2014), the Zimbabwe Climate Gender Action Plan (2021), and reports from the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee and the National Communication Reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Additionally, the NCCAP includes incentive mechanisms such as duty waivers to promote local production of electric vehicles and other equipment to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Minister Garwe noted that these incentives would also apply to the local production and importation of equipment for mitigating climate change effects.