By Munashe Chokodza
Harare City Council’s executive assistant, Matthew Marara, testified on Tuesday before the commission of inquiry into governance issues at Harare City Council, revealing that he received US$8,000 for gadgets during his suspension.
Marara was suspended from the council in 2020 and returned to Town House in May 2023, in defiance of the Ministry of Local Government’s directive that all council officials with court cases must not report for duty.
Testifying before the commission, Marara stated that Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume appointed a committee that approved the money he received.
The money included an astonishing US$3,256 for newspaper subscriptions, US$3,700 for a laptop, US$2,550 for a cell phone, and US$1,920 for an iPad, among other benefits.
The inflated prices for Marara’s benefits raise concerns of corruption and mismanagement at the Harare City Council. Said Marara:
<blockquote>
There were dues I was supposed to be given. By the time I was not at work, I was supposed to get these newspapers when I was at work, so I am used to reading newspapers, so I continued buying newspapers on
</blockquote>
Marara’s controversial compensation package comes at a time when the City of Harare is grappling with a severe lack of funds, which is hampering its ability to provide basic services to residents.

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Matthew Marara, who works for Harare City Council, got $8,000 for gadgets while he was suspended. He got the money in 2020 for things like newspaper subscriptions, a laptop, a cell phone, and an iPad. The prices for these gadgets were very high. This has raised concerns about corruption at the council. Marara said Mayor Jacob Mafume's committee approved the money. This happened when the council was facing a lack of funds to provide services to residents. Marara's actions have been questioned by a commission looking into how the council is run.

Marara Received US$8k From Harare Council To Buy Electronic Gadgets During His Suspension

Former Harare City Council acting human capital director Matthew Marara reportedly received over US$350,000 in compensation for the period he was suspended without pay on corruption charges. However, Marara asserted that the figure was US$131,000.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/harare-city-boss-paid-us350-000-back-pay/">The Herald</a> reported that on Wednesday, Marara appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into Harare City Council’s affairs, chaired by retired Justice Maphios Cheda.
He was called to address allegations that he had resigned and then rescinded his resignation to claim a large amount of back pay, or at least take advantage of the missing letter of resignation.
Marara was questioned about his alleged resignation in 2020 and return to the council in 2023. Evidence presented before the commission suggested that Marara resigned after his suspension but backtracked in 2023, claiming he had never resigned and was still a council employee.
It is alleged that he took advantage of the missing resignation letter to maintain his assertion of unbroken service.
Thabani Mpofu, who is leading evidence from witnesses appearing before the commission, said the information obtained showed Marara received US$350,000.
However, Marara denied the claims that he had resigned, saying the council agreed to pay him US$131,000, not US$350,000, with US$116,000 already paid out for the 30 months he was absent.
These revelations come as Harare City Council struggles to provide basic services to ratepayers, such as running tap water and refuse collection.
Council officials are accused of awarding themselves hefty salaries and perks at the expense of service delivery.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former Harare City Council official, Matthew Marara, received over $350,000 in back pay while suspended on corruption charges. He claims it was only $131,000. Marara was questioned about resigning in 2020 and returning in 2023. Evidence suggests he used a missing resignation letter to claim uninterrupted service. The council, struggling to provide essential services, is under scrutiny for lavish salaries. Marara denied resigning and said he was only paid $131,000, not $350,000. This controversy highlights issues of corruption and mismanagement in the City Council.

Harare City Council Official Paid US$350 000 Back Pay

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Harare_City_Council/">Harare City Council</a>‘s acting human capital director, Matthew Marara, has received a compensation of US$329,000 for the period he was on suspension over corruption charges. Marara, who was the city’s housing director, was suspended in 2020 alongside other HCC officials.
Harare City Council (HCC) deputy mayor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kudzai_Kadzombe/">Kudzai Kadzombe</a> confirmed the development but couldn’t confirm the exact amount paid. She told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200017784/us329k-compensation-deal-for-harare-director">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
Unlike other managers, he was on suspension for almost three years without his dues. When he returned to work his dues were calculated, but, I am not aware of the amount (he was paid). But we don’t pay in foreign currency at Harare City Council. Our employees only get a US$50 component. So, getting US$ 329,000, I am not aware of that figure. 
</blockquote>
Sources claim that there was no council resolution for the compensation, as the local authority is struggling to pay its workers. Said an anonymous source:
<blockquote>
Marara was awarded about US$329 000 for the almost three years he was on suspension, but the issue is that he had resigned through an email so he was not supposed to get that money.
</blockquote>
Matthew Marara, the former housing director of Harare City Council, was suspended in 2020 due to corruption allegations related to residential stands. He was suspended along with other HCC officials, including Edgar Dzehonye and Tonderai Mukora from the Survey Section.
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