Harare City Council defends bankrolling First Lady’s projects – says part of Corporate Social Responsibility

By Alois Vinga

THE Harare City Council (HCC) has dismissed reports alleging resource abuse by the First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa’s projects insisting everything is well above board.

This follows reports insinuating that the First Lady is forcing the city council to bankroll her community projects. It was further alleged the local authority was bulldozed to oil female councillors to attend a junior councillors’ annual conference in Victoria Falls.

But in a statement, HCC dismissed the allegations, hinting the reports were inflammatory and tilted towards soiling justified sanctioned work.

“The programs being conducted by the First Lady are important programs to fight domestic violence, child abuse, drugs and substance abuse and as a local authority, as part of the social services program we are expected to participate and support such critical initiatives,” HCC said.

The local authority said it does not support programs unrelated to the city but only caters for accommodation and other related allowances for the HCC Councillors and Employees who participate in these programs if they are conducted outside the boundaries of Harare.

HCC maintained that programs bankrolled are only those which are aligned with the local authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

“In the event that there are donations required for the successful implementation of the programs, the HCC like any other organisation operating in Zimbabwe can assist as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. Council is neither coerced nor forced and this is only done when the cash flows permit,” the statement said.

The local authority underscored that the decision to support Drug abuse efforts and the removal of street kids from the CBD were reached after considering that they augur well with the City’s objectives.

“The presence of children on the streets of Harare is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. This is another important program that the City is fully in support of because of the unending challenges faced by an increase in the number of children living on the streets.

“The City of Harare in partnership with various government Departments and Agencies always comes in to ensure that the children are removed from the streets and accommodated in safe spaces. It is important to note that removing children from the streets is only the first step. To ensure their long-term well-being,” the statement added.