By Albert Masaka

THE BORROWDALE Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA) has welcomed recent environmental and structural improvements at shopping centres in Harare’s affluent suburb, attributing the progress to “Operation Chenesa Harare”—a government-backed urban clean up and anti-vending blitz in Zimbabwe’s capital.

The government initiative being carried out by the City of Harare aims to remove illegal street vendors, dismantle unauthorised roadside and pavement structures, clear informal markets from the Central Business District (CBD), and address pressing public health and congestion issues.

BRRA Chairman Robert Mutyasira last week said that association representatives were recently invited by local council officials to conduct an assessment tour of the area’s shopping centres. During the tour, Mutyasira implored business operators to strictly adhere to municipal by-laws.

“We are pleased to see improvements at our shopping centres, and we wish to commend the ongoing ‘Operation Chenesa Harare’ as a positive move towards restoring the glamour of our city and neighbourhoods,” he said.

“On the local front, our councillor, regional manager, district officer, and their teams are working frantically to ensure the attained standards are maintained,” he added. “Just yesterday, they invited us as they went around shopping centres compelling complex and shop owners to adhere to by-laws, maintain buildings, replace signage, and clean up their immediate environments. It was disturbing to see how shop owners expect to conduct business in such filthy conditions.”

Following the tour, Mutyasira said his association has lodged an appeal with the local authority to allocate designated marketplace zones for vendors in Glen Lorne and Helensvale. The move aims to minimise the risk of informal traders resurfacing on street corners and roadsides.

“For the benefit of our communities, and if such market spaces are allocated, it may be necessary to crowd-fund for the construction of markets suitable for our neighbourhood.”

The BRRA is also actively funding local infrastructure repairs. The association is currently fixing a bus stop shelter along Liberation Legacy Way next to TotalEnergies Helensvale, which was previously destroyed in a bus accident. The area behind the shelter, which had been occupied by informal traders, is now earmarked for aesthetic upgrades.

“A new occupant has been identified, and plans are underway to secure their occupancy. The Roads, Traffic and Transportation departments from the City of Harare are also expected to move in soon to improve the surroundings and regulate traffic, especially at Helensvale,” Mutyasira said.

Looking ahead, the BRRA chief advised residents that on the first Friday of November 2026, the association will spearhead an initiative to pull down all unauthorized real estate and advertising signage along roads and street corners, coinciding with national clean-up activities.

“If your area is infested with these unsightly and distracting materials, please notify us well before the date,” Mutyasira urged. “Assistance from residents is welcome as we need transport and labour, while the municipality will provide oversight and security.”

Mayor Mangoma: Illegal Truck Stops in Units C and J Must Go

BY Dungwiza News Reporter

CHITUNGWIZA mayor councillor Rosaria Mangoma recently raised concern over the mushrooming of undesignated truck stops and illegal car parks in Units C, J and other roadsides.

Speaking during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting held on 25 August 2026 in the Council Chamber, Her Worship said the town must be well-planned and organised.

She urged relevant departments to act on illegal truck stops and car parks, saying municipal land must be properly managed at a time Council is struggling with low revenue collection while many revenue streams remain unexplored.

The meeting was chaired by Her Worship, with acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso in attendance.

#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #MayorMangoma #IllegalTruckStops #ServiceDelivery

𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

BY Dungwiza News Reporter

COUNCILLORS have blasted their management staff over poor communication that led to low turnout at recent consultative budget meetings.

The issue was raised during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting on 25 August 2026.

Councillor Gylord   Chenjera questioned whether the meetings were successful, saying he observed very low turnout.

Acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso admitted meetings were scheduled but attendance was poor and below expectations.

Councillors  Watmore Muchairi, Agatha Mujati, and Peter Clever Matiringe said there was no proper hailing done and messages were only circulated in WhatsApp groups on the morning of the meetings.

They also raised concerns over distance of venues which disadvantaged the elderly, and language barrier.

Cllr Matiringe called for messages to be communicated in vernacular.

Council agreed that ward-based meetings should be considered, councillors and ward development committees should be more involved, and the acting public relations officer must improve timely communication. Council will also consider providing refreshments at feedback meetings. #DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #BudgetConsultations #PublicParticipation

𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐬 — 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬

By Dungwiza News Reporter

A heated debate erupted in Council over missing sewer rods.

According to Audit and Risk Committee recommendations tabled at the 510th Ordinary Council meeting, supervision must be improved, sewer rods should be branded in Council’s name, and broken rods must be surrendered to stores.

Chitungwiza deputy mayor Cllr Edmore Muringa said the Sewer Section had no rods to use, yet workers were being seen with rods doing private jobs.

Councillors agreed that branding at point of manufacture and through infrared light should be explored, and that supervisors must keep a proper register.

Council resolved to adopt the audit monthly report for July 2026.

#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #AuditReport #SewerRods #Accountability

ZINARA 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 s𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 — c𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 f𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 a𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭, m𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟑 d𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

By Dungwiza News Reporter

Chitungwiza Municipality has not received any ZINARA disbursements this year because it failed to acquit previous funds.

This emerged during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting on 25 August 2026. Her Worship Mayor cllr Rosaria Mangoma bemoaned that Council should receive three disbursements per year but had received nothing to date.

The delay was caused by change of procurement from employing extra Public Works workers and a vehicle to prioritising tipper trucks, which required lengthy approvals.

Councillors also clashed with Procurement over tipper truck delivery.

Only one truck had been delivered out of two promised, and it was delivered unbranded.

Councillors Mujati and Chitembwe demanded urgent delivery, branding, and accountability.

Council resolved that Works must expedite acquittals of ZINARA funds.

#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #ZINARA #TipperTrucks #Procurement

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐒$𝟓𝟎0 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐭

By Dungwiza News Reporter

Chitungwiza Municipality will assist Mrs Sibongile Mudzingwa, a Council employee whose house was destroyed by fire, with US$500.

The resolution was passed during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting on 25 August 2026 following a motion by Councillor Mashonganyika, seconded by Cllr Chenjera and Cllr Pewula.

The meeting ended at 18:43 pm. 16 councillors were absent who had tendered apologies

.#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #CouncilCompassion #SibongileMudzingwa

By Dungwiza News Reporter

CHITUNGWIZA ward 24 Councillor Obert Matsika has broken his silence over accusations that he is siding with the government’s latest directive to demolish illegal vending structures under Operation Chenesa Harare.

Some vendors at Jambanja Market in his ward, reportedly aligned to Zanu PF, have been circulating messages on social media accusing the councillor of supporting the planned destruction of the stalls.

In a statement issued on 26 September 2026 and seen by Dungwiza News, Cllr Matsika said the messages are false, defamatory and laced with hate speech and political malice.

“I have noted with concern some messages circulating on various social media platforms falsely attacking and defaming my character as the Councillor of Ward 24 in Chitungwiza.

“I appeal to Ward 24 residents, stakeholders and the general citizenry to ignore these misleading messages with connotations of hate speech, politically motivated malice and attacks,” Matsika said.

Matsika said he represents all residents in Ward 24, including informal traders, and sympathises with vendors targeted under Operation Chenesa Harare.

He revealed that he was raised by a family of informal traders who paid for his school fees through vending, and that he himself has been a product of Jambanja Market since 2008.

“It pains me to look back and not associate with this market that brought me this far. It is against this background that I will never incite the destruction of market stalls.”

The councillor said that Operation Chenesa Harare is not a Chitungwiza Municipality initiative, but a central government directive being implemented by all local authorities in Harare Metropolitan Province.

“Unfortunately, councils operate through resolutions and as an individual, I hold no power to veto any decision arrived at through a majority decision. I have no authority as an individual councillor to halt a Ministerial directive,” he said.

“Operation Chenesa Harare is a central government directive and is being implemented by all the local authorities in the Harare Metropolitan Province. It is therefore disheartening that some partisan and myopic individuals are spreading falsehoods and hate speech and dragging my name into a process that emanated from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.”

Matsika said he has a soft spot for informal traders at Jambanja and wants a stakeholder-driven solution and reorganisation of vending in the town, rather than destruction.

He noted that informal traders occupy a strategic position in the economy and contribute immensely to the economic development of Zimbabwe.

As a member of Chitungwiza Council’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, Matsika said he will continue advocating for the recognition, reorganisation and improvement of the welfare of all informal traders.

Government last week announced a fresh crackdown on illegal vending structures in Harare Metropolitan Province, a move that has triggered anxiety among thousands of informal traders in Chitungwiza who depend on markets like Jambanja for survival.