Jacob Mafume

Jacob Mafume (born 10 September 1976) is a Zimbabwean politician, lawyer and advocate for human rights who holds the office of Mayor of Harare. He is a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Mafume first assumed the City of Harare mayoral position in September 2020 and was re-elected in December 2023 for a second term.

Early life and education

Jacob Mafume was born on 10 September 1976 in Marondera, Zimbabwe, to Isaac Jacob Mafume and Maina Maoneyi Mafume (née Muvuti) of Mafuwa village in Bondolfi, Masvingo. His parents were members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. He attended Riverside Primary School in Gweru and later Gokomere High School for his secondary education. Mafume then studied law at the University of Zimbabwe from 1996 to 2000, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. During his university years, he served as Secretary General. of the University of Zimbabwe Students’ Union (ZINASU)

Career

Mafume practised law, working with firms such as Mapunga Bhatasara Attorneys in Harare. He has also been associated with Retina Properties and the Norwegian organisation.Studentenes og Akademikernes Internasjonale Hjelpefond (SAIH)

Political career

Mafume was a founding member of the original Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). In 2014, he was part of a group (including Elton Mangoma and others) expelled from the MDC after calling for the resignation of party leader Morgan Tsvangirai. They formed the MDC Renewal Team, which contributed to the formation of the People's Democratic Party (Zimbabwe) (PDP) under Tendai Biti. In the 2013 Zimbabwean general elections, he contested the Harare South parliamentary seat but was defeated by ZANU-PF's Shadreck Mashayamombe.

He worked at USAID and later joined the office of then-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as legal advisor during Zimbabwe's Government of National Unity (inclusive government) period following the 2008 Zimbabwean general election.

Mafume’s rise to the mayoral office in September 2020—succeeding Herbert Gomba represented a pivotal shift in the leadership of Harare, occurring amidst the extreme administrative pressures of the global COVID-19 pandemic and frequent political friction with the national executive, which resulted in multiple instances of his suspension. Following his re-election in December 2023, Mafume solidified his mandate to execute a long-term urban development agenda, focusing on the stabilization of municipal services, navigating intergovernmental relations and fighting corruption in the city of Harare.

Initiatives and policy

As Mayor of Harare, Mafume has overseen several infrastructural and urban planning initiatives. A major project during his tenure was the rehabilitation of Rufaro Stadium to bring it up to modern operational standards. His administration has also proposed the development of municipal solar power infrastructure to help address power shortages affecting the city’s water treatment, sewage processing facilities and working with Geo Pomona on refuse collection. In addition, Mafume has advocated for the development of an integrated mass public transport system and has engaged with issues related to land tenure and informal settlements.

Controversies and criticisms

Mafume’s tenure has been marked by significant controversy and legal challenges. Shortly after his initial election in 2020, he faced arrest and detention on allegations of criminal abuse of office, specifically regarding the illegal parcelling of land to his sister and a colleague. He was subsequently re-arrested on accusations of attempting to bribe a witness in his criminal case, leading to a period of incarceration. These legal battles occurred within a broader political context, with opposition groups arguing that the arrests were politically motivated efforts by the ruling ZANU-PF government to seize control of urban local authorities. Critics of his administration have also pointed to persistent failures in essential service delivery, including water shortages, poor drainage, and decaying road infrastructure. Interviews and public discourse have frequently highlighted tensions surrounding city council corruption, land lease management, and the overall quality of life in Harare, with observers questioning the efficacy of the municipal leadership in overcoming systemic bureaucratic and political hurdles.

Personal life

Mafume is married to Elizabeth Benjamini and they have two sons together. His mother, Maina Mawoneyi Mafume, died on 17 March 2023 after a battle with heart disease a period Mafume described as difficult.