We are still open to working with Sakunda on Rufaro Stadium – Mayor Mafume

Jacob Mafume swearing in as Harare Mayor PIC: @cohsunshinecity twitter

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has not closed the door on working with Sakunda Holdings on refurbishment of Rufaro Stadium.

Speaking to the media, Mafume said, “We have a plan for our stadium. The plan is to get into mutually beneficial agreements. We would have gone on to agree with these partners if they had come ot the meetings that we had set up. We are still open to negotiate with them.”

Mafume also expressed surprise with the tone of the letter sent by Sakunda. Sakunda accused the Mayor of ‘toxicity’.

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Sakunda Holdings pulls out Rufaro Stadium refurbishment, blames Harare City Council for ‘toxicity’

“You might not respect me.You might not like me. But I am the Mayor of the City of Harare,” Mafume said.

“So I am surprised with the tone of the letter. I’ve spent the whole morning asking my staff, ‘Whatc communication did you do?’ They said, we were holding a meeting on Monday. We had formally informed that they were supposed to come to that meeting.”

Mafume added that his administration would review every deal and make sure it was beneficial to the city and its residents.

Our take

Without seeing the contents of the original agreement, it is hard to say much and to see if there is a breach. In reality, it should have been made public so people understand what is at stake.

If indeed Sakunda did pull the rug from Harare’s feet and acted in bad faith then it is not a good look.