Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo extended the term of the commission that runs Harare for a fifth time - but the controversial panel will no longer be headed by Sekesai Makwavarara, chairwoman since the commission’s creation in 2004.
Correspondent Irwin Chifera of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe reported.
Though Makwavarara’s four years in power were controversial, political analysts say her departure will not fundamentally change matters because the ruling ZANU-PF party continues to appoint its loyalists to run Zimbabwe's capital city.
Makwavarara, a defector from the opposition, had lost support within the ruling party - last year the central committee of the Harare branch of ZANU-PF voted no confidence in her just days after Chombo had extended her tenure by six months.
The late William Nhara, spokesman at that time for the ZANU-PF provincial branch, said at the time that she “lacked leadership qualities and professionalism”.
Harare-based analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya told reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Makwavarara's departure will not bring political change as ZANU-PF will keep Harare government in its grip at least until next year’s elections.