HARARE - Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda has expressed displeasure with the rising absenteeism by councillors during council meetings.

Masunda told the house, which was half full during Thursday’s meeting that he was not happy with the countless apologies he received at every meeting.

He said this was creating a negative impression on how serious council was.

“I wish to register my displeasure with councillors who do not organise their diaries well. I am aware that some of these councillors were physically present at Town House a few hours ago but chose not to attend this meeting. This does not augur well with our seriousness as a council,” said Masunda.

“I would like to apologise on behalf of these councillors to councillor Chifodya (Council chief whip). Councillors, he (Chifodya) is too young to start having hypertension,” he said.

Last year Masunda complained about the behaviour of appointed councillors whom he said were not taking council business seriously.

He singled out four out of nine appointed councillors to be performing well and being of value to council.


These included Sasha Jogi, Thembinkosi Magwaliba, Tariro Chikumbirike and Torongo Torongo.

The failure by councillors to attend council meetings usually affect decisions made by the capital’s city fathers where decisions are to be reached by consensus and voting. - Xolisani Ncube and Wendy Muperi