Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has criticised the poor workmanship by council employees carrying out pavement rehabilitation works in the Central Business District (CBD).
The workers recently repaired pavements along Nelson Mandela Avenue and First Street in the CBD.
The council said the works are part of efforts to improve pedestrian infrastructure, enhance the appearance of the city centre and create a safer and more accessible environment for residents and businesses.
However, members of the public have criticised the quality of the work, with some suggesting that Mafume visit cities in countries such as China, the United Kingdom and the United States to see how pavements are constructed.
Responding to the criticism, Mafume said the council would introduce mandatory drug testing for its workers, arguing that the poor workmanship suggested some employees may have been working while under the influence of substances.
“We are going to introduce mandatory drug testing at work. This can only be the workmanship of intoxicated individuals, from the supervisor to the worker. We agree with the public on this one; we cannot be committed to ugliness and poor execution,” wrote Mafume on X.
