A Harare City Council official has revealed that people exposing corruption at Town House are being threatened with death, while some have been poisoned.
Speaking before the Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2024 to investigate suspected financial mismanagement and corruption in Harare dating back to 2017, acting Human Capital Director Bosman Matengarufu claimed he had received death threats, survived an assassination attempt, and was poisoned as corrupt cartels sought to silence him.
Matengarufu also recounted an incident in 2020 when he was chased out of a workshop in Chinhoyi by an individual armed with a gun. He said (via <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/death-threats-rock-town-house/">Business Times</a>):
<blockquote>
The City of Harare is a toxic environment. I was poisoned twice and it’s on record. I was chased away at a Chinhoyi workshop with a gun to deter me from exposing corruption in any way.
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When asked by Justice Maphios Cheda, the chairman of the Commission, about the reason for his poisoning, Matengarufu responded:
<blockquote>
I was demoted after Marara’s return from allegations of corruption. I was acting in his place during his absence due to corruption charges. After (Matthew) Marara returned, I was demoted, and that’s when the fight began.
</blockquote>
He said Marara created a fictitious position within the council and allocated himself a substantial sum of money, sparking controversy. Said Matengarufu:
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There are matters within the council you should never tamper with if you want to live. (These are) land, appointments, water, procurement.
</blockquote>
Matengarufu’s testimony appears to support speculation that one of the key council officials, who had threatened in a letter to the Local Government Ministry to expose rampant corruption at the local authority, was killed by the cartel.
The official, Funny Machipisa, who served as District Administration Manager, died under mysterious circumstances last year. His family believes his death was the result of foul play.
Before his death, Machipisa had voiced concerns about being pushed out of his position to silence him. In a letter dated July 9, 2024, he revealed that he was being targeted for opposing the councillors’ push to allocate residential stands in affluent areas rather than their respective wards.
Machipisa had warned that their plan to remove him was designed to prevent him from testifying before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Harare City Council official exposed corruption and got threatened and poisoned. Bosman Matengarufu told a Commission about death threats and assassination attempts. He was demoted after pointing out corruption. Another official, Funny Machipisa, died mysteriously after speaking out against corruption. Some say he was killed by a corrupt group. The council is a dangerous place with corruption in things like land and appointments. Matengarufu's testimony supports rumors of corruption and threats at the council.

Harare Council Official Poisoned And Threatened With Death For Exposing Corruption

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry into the governance of Harare City Council by three months to allow it to complete its work.
The Commission, set up on May 10 with an initial six-month mandate to probe HCC from 2017, now has until early February 2025 to complete its work and report back to the President by early May.
Chaired by retired High Court judge Justice Maphios Cheda, the Commission includes former MDC top official Lucia Matibenga, Steven Chakaipa, Tabani Vusa Mpofu, and Khonzani Ncube. Local Government and Public Works Secretary John Basera is the commission’s secretary.
In Proclamation 5 of 2024, gazetted in Statutory Instrument 180 of 2024 on November 8, President Mnangagwa exercised the option of a three-month extension, extending the investigation to nine months.
The Commission’s terms of reference include investigating financial management systems, and audit compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, and other laws.
The Commission will investigate the financial management of revenue generated through special vehicle companies and other outsourced arrangements, such as Rufaro Marketing and City Parking.
The Commission will also investigate why Harare has not had an Enterprise Resource Planning system to manage its accounts since 2019 and quantify any resulting losses.
The Auditor-General has reported that the lack of an appropriate system has made it impossible to determine what has happened to some council revenue and whether funds are being misappropriated.
The Commission will investigate the management, sale, lease, or transfer of the local authority’s properties to private entities.
The Commission will also probe the convening of council meetings, adherence to standing orders and rules, and compliance with procurement laws, including the disposal of assets.
The President gave the Commission open-ended authority to investigate any other matter deemed appropriate and relevant to the inquiry.
The Commission has full power to visit premises, summon witnesses, record proceedings, and minute testimonies, and manage all gathered information.
Since being sworn in, the Commission has gathered evidence and questioned councillors and officials in public hearings.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Mnangagwa extended a group's time to check how Harare City is run. The group will now finish in February 2025. The group will look at how money is managed and if rules are followed. They will also see how Harare's properties are used or sold. The group can ask questions and take notes. They have been talking to people and collecting evidence. The President wants them to look at anything they think is important. The group is working hard to make sure everything is fair and correct in Harare City.

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