Mnangagwa’s Advisor Lands Deal to Renovate City Sports Centre
After years of neglect, Harare’s City Sports Centre is finally getting a makeover — and the man overseeing it is none other than President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special advisor, Paul Tungwarara.
Tungwarara’s company, Prevail Group, has been awarded the contract to renovate the council-owned indoor sports facility. But details around the agreement remain murky, raising questions about transparency.
Mnangagwa Personally Backed the Deal, Says Mafume
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume told journalists that the deal came with presidential backing. He said President Mnangagwa gave the green light for Prevail Group to step in and revamp the ageing venue.
“We are going to be assisted in renewing the City Sports Centre, which was being turned into the City Church Centre. It is not the City Church Centre. It is the City Sports Centre and it is going to remain that. The City Sports Centre will remain a quintessentially sports facility where people play indoor games and we are going to make it better. When we went to the meeting, the President directed that Prevail Group of Companies assist the Council to renew and modernise that facility and we are going to do exactly that. These are the kind of partnerships that we require so that we develop modern facilities that are in keeping with modern day standards and that will make our children grow and live in Harare,” said Mafume.
The decision is part of a growing trend where Harare City Council appears more open to private-public partnerships, especially with politically connected players.
This isn’t the first eyebrow-raising deal. Tungwarara’s involvement follows the controversial Geo Pomona waste management agreement, which gave another private firm control of Harare’s refuse collection.
The city has also partnered with ZANU PF MP Scott Sakupwanya for a new sports ground in Mabvuku, and has proposed a lease deal with him for the revival of Rufaro Stadium.
Ironically, Mafume was once a vocal critic of such deals. In 2022, he blocked businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s proposal to renovate Rufaro. But since then, little has been done to improve the crumbling Mbare stadium — and now Mafume is singing a different tune.
Explaining the change of heart, Mafume now says partnerships with corporations, churches, NGOs, and private citizens are crucial to building a better city.
“A city is build by the Citizens in it. Citizens in it are the corporations, churches, individuals, NGOs and everybody. We want to encourage people to come and work with us and be in partnership. When we partner with someone, there is no way they can put the land in their pocket,” said Mafume.
The City Sports Centre, once a vibrant venue for indoor games, has become a symbol of Harare’s collapsing infrastructure. Cracks in walls, broken seating, and outdated facilities reflect years of municipal failure.
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Mnangagwa’s Advisor Lands Deal to Renovate City Sports Centre appeared first on iHarare News.
