A commission of inquiry established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to investigate alleged financial mismanagement and corruption in Harare has encountered a significant setback with the death of Dr. Funny Machipisa, a key witness expected to testify about corruption within the town council, according to Business Times.
Machipisa, who served as the District Administration Manager, had compiled a report detailing various corruption cases, including irregular allocations of residential and commercial plots by councillors and officials. The council announced that he passed away on Sunday, although the cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Prior to his death, Machipisa alleged attempts to demote him as a means to silence him and obstruct his testimony. Thabani Mpofu, the lead investigator for the commission, expressed his shock, stating, “I am devastated because he was expected to appear before the commission soon.”
In a letter dated July 9, 2024, Machipisa indicated that he had faced pressure for opposing councillors’ plans to allocate residential and commercial plots in affluent areas rather than within their own wards. He stated, “After I worked diligently to process reports for the allocation of 2,224 residential stands, I informed the councillors that allocations must align with government directives.”
Machipisa warned that the councillors were breaching government guidelines and expressed concerns that his removal from office was intended to prevent him from sharing information with the commission investigating the City of Harare.
He had dedicated 41 years to the council before his passing. Mpofu also voiced concerns about losing contact with senior council official Matthew Marara, who is implicated in a controversial US$300,000 payment from the council prior to his contentious reinstatement, raising further suspicions about councillors’ involvement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Harare City Council announced that Machipisa was set to retire at the end of 2025. His burial took place at his Bvochora homestead in Guruve, attended by numerous council employees, including senior management, who honored his legacy of service.
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