The Harare Residents’ Trust has called on the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Senator Charles Tawengwa, to take up the outstanding report of the Commission of Inquiry into the City of Harare.

The call was made during an intergovernmental meeting convened in Harare this week.

The Cheda Commission, appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May 2024, investigated the financial affairs and governance of the City of Harare from 2017 to date.

The Commission, chaired by Rtd Judge Maphios Cheda, has since handed its report to the President.

It revealed systemic corruption, abuse of power and mismanagement.

This included unapproved executive salaries, illegal allocation of over 5,000 stands ahead of the 2023 elections, and the disappearance of public funds.

Speaking at the meeting, HRT Director Precious Shumba linked the failure to act on the report to the continued repression of informal vendors.

The HRT said the Commission’s findings on the abuse of vendors and arbitrary allocation of vending bays should guide policy instead of punitive measures.

The meeting also saw ruling party delegates requesting Minister Tawengwa to summon all council directors, councillors, committee chairpersons and mayors to answer to concerns over deteriorating service delivery.

Tawengwa indicated that the request would be implemented.

The Cheda Commission report is yet to be made public.