Bernard Manyenyeni


Bernard Manyenyeni is a Zimbabwean politician, business executive and member of the Movement for Democratic Change. He was the former Mayor of Harare, Zimbabwe. He was a pension funds manager. Manyenyeni was Mayor from 2013 to 2018 and was succeeded by Herbert Gomba.

Education

Manyenyeni attended St Clare’s Primary School in Murewa and later transferred to Murehwa Central Primary School and eventually graduated from Bindura Salvation Army Primary School in Bindura. After his primary school education, he attended St Ignatius College and later Marlborough High School.

Career

Bernard Manyenyeni began his career working for Air Malawi Limited as a sales and reservations assistant in March of 1985 and resigned in August 1985. In September 1985, he began working for Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited as a junior accounts executive and served till July 1990. After leaving Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited in 1990, Manyenyeni started a role as Senior Broker at Zimbabwe Insurance Brokers Limited where he served for eight years with the firm.

Political career

In 2013, Manyenyeni went into politics and was first elected Councillor of Ward 17, Mount Pleasant. In September 2013 he was successfully elected Mayor of Harare after defeating Musatye Gwasira of Zanu-PF by a margin of 31 votes for a five years term which ended in 2018. He succeeded Muchadeyi Masunda.

Suspension as Mayor of Harare

In 2016, Manyenyeni was suspended and arrested as the Mayor of Harare following several accusations by the Minister of local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere on grounds of corruption. He was also accused of unprocedural appointment of former NMB Bank chief executive James Mushore as Harare's town clerk by the Resolution of Council. Manyenyeni took his suspension to the Federal High Court and requested a nullification on his suspension. In a ruling by the federal high court judge, the judge nullified the suspension and reinstated him as Mayor.